Duane John joined the Lions coaching staff as the associate offensive coordinator and the receivers coach in 2013.
A native of Montreal, he brings to York an impressive football resume that includes five Vanier Cup rings, three as a player and another two as a coach. John was a tremendous CIS football player, spending five seasons with the dominant Laval Rouge et Or (2003-07). After one year as a defensive back, he switched to the other side of the ball and in four seasons as a receiver and return specialist earned RSEQ all-star honours in 2006 and was a CIS second-team all-Canadian in his final year.
He joined the Laval coaching staff when his playing career was over, first as the receivers coach for three seasons (2008-10) and then one as the team’s offensive coordinator (2011).
John won his first Vanier Cup as a player in his rookie season of 2003 and went on to capture two more, in 2004 and 2006. He then collected another two as a coach, in 2008 and 2010. He was also part of nine Dunsmore Cup-winning teams as RSEQ champions, claiming one in each season he spent with Laval as a player and coach.
In addition to his time with the Laval football program, John, who graduated from Laval with a degree in industrial relations in 2008, was also the receivers coach for the Quebec under-19 team in 2009 and has served as a guest coach at multiple Team Quebec evaluation camps.
His playing experience also includes four years as a defensive back with CEGEP du Vieux Montreal (1999-02), where he was an all-star in 2002, and a stint with the Canadian junior national team.
