The Calgary Colts have unveiled a star-studded coaching staff for the 2026 Canadian Junior Football League season.
Led by former CFL and NFL defensive back Elie Bouka, who was hired as head coach early last month, the team now boasts a laundry list of notable names from the CFL and U Sports ranks.
Two-time CFL divisional all-star Mike Edem, who played nine seasons with the Alouettes, Tiger-Cats, Lions, and Roughriders, has joined as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. The 36-year-old comes over after having spent time as a position coach at the University of Calgary.
Former Stampeders fullback William Langlais, who retired last month after 11 years with the team, has signed on board as special teams coordinator and running backs coach. The 35-year-old amassed 60 special teams tackles in 132 career regular-season CFL games.
Nate Kettles, who most recently served as running backs coach and director of football operations at the University of Guelph, has been named the offensive coordinator.
The Colts have also added some notable names amongst their position coaches. Chris Merchant, who won the Hec Crighton Trophy as the top player in U Sports while playing for Western University, will serve as quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator. Former All-CFL defensive lineman Kent Warnock will coach that position, as he once did for the Calgary Dinos.
Rounding out the group are offensive line coach Stephane Tanguay, co-defensive line coach Tyler ‘Bubba’ Scott, receivers coach Aaron Roemmele, assistant defensive coordinator and co-linebackers coach Anton Bellot, co-linebackers coach David Swagar, and kicker/punter specialist Vince Triumbari.
The Colts have also brought on a pair of distinguished senior consultants in Wayne Harris and Rohn Meyer. Harris served as head coach of the University of Calgary from 2015 until 2023, posting a 52-26 record and winning the Vanier Cup in 2019. Meyer coached the offensive line for the Dinos from 2002 to 2013, producing a number of top CFL Draft picks.
Calgary went 2-6 in 2025, finishing sixth in the Prairie Football Conference standings in the CJFL.
