36 years later, Denis Touchette is once again Vanier Cup champion, again with a win against the UCB Thunderbirds.
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In 1987, to everyone’s surprise, the McGill Redmen defensive back, playing his final career game, triumphed over the T-Birds by a score of 47-11 to win the first Vanier Cup for a Quebec institution. On Saturday in Kingston, it was the University of Montreal Carabins who defeated UCB 16 to 9 and secured the second national title in their history after 2014.
“I am truly blessed to have been able to witness the Vanier Cup win as a coach,” admitted the Blues defensive coordinator. In both cases we beat UBC, but the two are not comparable. It’s different, but both are good.”
Complete surprise
This win comes as a complete surprise to Touchette, who first stayed with the Carabins from 2006 to 2012 without ever winning the Dunsmore Cup. “I never imagined 10 years ago that I would be returning to the Carabins as a full-time coach and that we would win the Vanier Cup,” he said. There was no way that would happen. It shows that you never know what life has in store for you and that you have to do things right.”
“As Marco [Iadeluca] brought me back, I told myself that I would do my best and have fun living out my passion and chasing the former McGill star on defense. Me and Marco, we have the same values and a great bond has developed.”
Photo Didier Debusschere
Seamless touch
If he has built a great bond with Iadeluca, the same goes for the players. “We work together in meetings and on site,” he emphasized. We have open conversations and I am completely transparent. We spend so much time together that we have to have fun, otherwise it would be difficult.”
Iadeluca is obviously very proud of his achievement. “He was the first person I hired when I was appointed head coach in 2020,” said the Blues pilot. I had worked with him and against him in the past. I knew he was an incredible coach and a person with the same values as me. I am proud and happy that he was able to win a Vanier Cup as a coach after winning as a player.”
Iadeluca also acknowledges the work of the other defensive assistants who have been part of the group for two years. Antoine Pruneau and Jean-Samuel Blanc are back with the Blues after their time in the CFL. Marc-André Paradis and William Perrier complete the group.
Praise from the players
Hybrid linebacker Nicolas Roy, Uteck Cup MVP in the 29-3 win over the Western Mustangs, praises his coordinator. “We wouldn’t have come here without Denis,” he said. Denis is a teacher and general of our defense. He makes you want to play for him. He is so emotional that we feel like he loves us.”
Roy’s confidence is absolute. “If Denis asked me to run headfirst into a wall, I would do it without hesitation.”
Four games without allowing a touchdown
The Carabins’ defense shined in the playoffs, not allowing a touchdown in four games. The sequence lasted 250 minutes and 52 seconds. “If you had told me we wouldn’t allow a touchdown in the playoffs, I never would have believed you,” Touchette admitted. It went well and we had fun.”
Another completely unbelievable statistic: The Carabins managed no fewer than 22 turnovers in the four playoff games and only allowed 21 points. “It’s an honor to be part of this defense,” said star defender Bruno Lagacé. As UBC approached the end zone, I said we could bend, but we couldn’t break. If we managed to stop them, everyone would remember us as the legends who managed to stop one of the best attacks in the country.