The Roughriders recently promoted Kelly Jeffrey from his role as the team’s running backs coach to the role of offensive coordinator. The Riders did not take much time to find Jeffrey’s replacement and are reportedly hiring Montreal Alouettes’ assistant coach André Bolduc to be their new running backs coach.

Bolduc has been coaching with the Alouettes for 8 seasons and was most recently the team’s running backs coach and assistant head coach. Bolduc was considered a candidate for the Alouettes head coaching position but ultimately lost out to former Roughriders coordinator, Jason Maas.

The 51-year-old native of Quebec played in the CFL from 1996 – 2001. He spent most of his playing career with the Alouettes. His best CFL season was his rookie season with the Ottawa Rough Riders back in 1996. He scored 1 touchdown and had 287 receiving yards in what would be the Rough Riders final season in Ottawa.

lass="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">

“Like Jeffrey, Bolduc has spent time coaching in the Canadian University ranks. He was an offensive coordinator for Montreal Carabins in 2022 and would become the head coach for Sherbrooke Vert et Or in 2007 where he led the team to a 24-18 record over five seasons.”

via 620 CKRM

Bolduc will be bringing a wealth of football experience to the Roughriders coaching staff and hoping to help Jeffrey rejuvenate the Riders much maligned offense in 2023. The team recently extended 2022 team rushing leader, Jamal Morrow to a contract extension, so that should help Bolduc’s transition to the Prairies.