Blue Bombers add Casey Creehan to coaching staff

A familiar face is coming back to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers coaching staff.

The team announced Thursday that Casey Creehan has been named as the team’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

Creehan previously coached the linebackers and defensive line in Winnipeg from 2010-2011.

He spent last season as the defensive coordinator of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Creehan’s return reunites him with head coach Tim Burke, with whom he has coached in numerous CFL cities.

Beginning his tenure in Winnipeg as linebackers coach in 2010, Creehan helped oversee a unit that finished second in fewest yards net offence and allowed the fewest yards net passing while registering the most quarterback sacks.

Taking over as defensive line coach midway through the 2011 season, Creehan and then-defensive coordinator Burke teamed up to form the league’s best defence, finishing first in 12 defensive categories including fewest first downs allowed, fewest yards net offence, most interceptions and most quarterback sacks for the second year in a row.

Prior to his stint in Winnipeg, Creehan was part of Burke’s defensive staff in 2008 as the linebackers coach of the Montreal Alouettes, who finished second in the league in rush defence, sacks and scoring defence as they captured the East Division Championship.

Creehan’s first foray into the CFL came in 2004 when he joined the Calgary Stampeders as their defensive line coach where he stayed for four seasons, participating in three playoff appearances.

It was there that Creehan and Burke worked together, the latter joining the team as defensive backs coach in 2005 before becoming interim defensive coordinator in 2007.

Creehan has also held coaching positions at James Madison University, Clarion University, Southern Illinois University and Lehigh University.