Stuart Lang named Guelph head coach

GUELPH, Ont. – The University of Guelph, Department of Athletics has announced the hiring of Stuart Lang as its new Head Football Coach in a press conference today on the campus of Guelph.
 
 “After a very thorough and extensive search with candidates from across the nation, we are pleased to have Stuart Lang as the newest football coach at the University of Guelph,” said Guelph director of athletics Tom Kendall. “I am confident he will take the reins of the program and help us accomplish our goal of competing for national championships.”
 
Lang takes over the program from Kyle Walters, who stepped down February 26. Walters spent four seasons at the helm of the program with a 13-18-1 overall record. He left Guelph for a position with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as the special teams coordinator. 
 
 “The opportunity to build a sustainable and successful football program is an exciting challenge,” Lang said. “Guelph is a great place to get a world-class education and to play elite football. I believe I can bring a professional and passionate approach to achieving a ‘double victory’ for our student-athletes.”
 
This past season Lang served as the receivers coach with the Gryphons, coaching a group that included second team OUA all-star Jedd Gardner.  During this time, he provided an innovative and systematic training program supported by all the players. 
 
Prior to coming to Guelph, Lang spent two seasons as the receivers coach at Upper Canada College (UCC), his former high school.  During that time he was and continues to be the Chair of the Athletic Task Force and a member of the Principal’s Advisory Committee and Finance Committee.
 
During his university playing days, Lang was a four-year starter with the Queens Golden Gaels in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS). He was a member of the 1970 Yates Cup Championship team. During his time at Queens he was also a three-year starter with the Gaels Hockey Team and the runner-up for the 1974 Jenkins Trophy awarded to the University’s top athletic and scholastic student-athlete. Lang earned a BSc. Degree in Chemical Engineering from Queens in 1974.  He was also named to the Queen’s Sports Hall of Fame.
 
Lang also had a very successful playing career for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL) from 1974-1981. He played slot-back for eight seasons, going to the Grey Cup seven times and winning the championship five times (1975, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981). He was named the team’s 1974 Rookie of the Year nominee and received the Canada Packers Award for Fan’s Favourite Player in 1977.  In 1976 he played in the CFL All-Star game.
 
In addition to his on-field experiences and connection to the University of Guelph football team, Lang brings with him a wealth of leadership and strategic management skills as a senior business executive from CCL Industries.  Most recently from 2002-2006 he served as the President of CCL Label, International and is still active as a Director on the company’s Board.  CCL Industries Inc., a Lang family controlled business, is a world-class specialty packaging company headquartered in Toronto.
 
“Stu’s accomplishments extend beyond the football field; he is someone that brings a level of success, motivation and business strategy that adds a new and dynamic element to our program,” added Kendall.
 
Lang and his wife Kim live on a horse farm in Puslinch, Ontario just outside of Guelph. 
 
Source:

Michelle Pino
Media Relations & Sports Information Officer
University of Guelph, Department of Athletics