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Offensive Line Coach

Marty Costello enters his ninth year with the Blue Bombers in 2024, and seventh as the club’s offensive line coach.

Costello has earned the utmost respect for the work he has done with the Blue Bombers offensive line, which remains the most-consistent and dominant unit in the Canadian Football League.

Over the last two seasons the club has surrendered the second fewest quarterback sacks in the league, while the offence finished first in scoring. As well, right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick was named the West Division finalist for the league’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman while also being named to the CFL All-Star Team along with guard Pat Neufeld. Future Hall of Famer Stanley Bryant was also named to the West Division All-Star Team. Costello’s crew played a pivotal role in Brady Oliveira winning his first CFL rushing title and in Zach Collaros leading the league in passing touchdowns.

Two seasons ago the Blue Bombers were dominant up front, with Bryant capturing his league-record CFL Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award and while he and Neufeld were also selected league all-stars.

In 2021 the Blue Bombers surrendered the fewest quarterback sacks in the league as part of an offence which also finished first in scoring and second in yards rushing. That year every starter along the offensive line was saluted with all-star recognition as Bryant and Neufeld, along with right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick were selected to the CFL All-Star team, while left guard Drew Desjarlais was a West Division All-Star and centre Michael Couture named the starting centre on the CFL Players’ Association All-Star Squad — along with Bryant and Hardrick.

Prior to 2021, the offensive line also had a lot to boast about, as running back Andrew Harris has captured three consecutive CFL rushing titles, while the offence finished first in scoring in 2018 and second in 2017. Heading into the 2019 season, Winnipeg’s O-line lost two starters in the offseason with centre Matthias Goossen retiring to work with the Delta Police Department and Sukh Chungh leaving in free agency. As well, the club was without  Neufeld for the first half of the season due to injury. Yet, Costello’s crew continued to provide holes for Harris while protecting three different starting quarterbacks in Matt Nichols, Chris Streveler and Zach Collaros. Winnipeg’s 2,663 yards rushing was the most by the club since 1965, when the team rushed for 3,005 yards in a 16-game season.

Winnipeg allowed 36 sacks against in 2018, tied for second fewest in the CFL while the offence was without starting quarterback Matt Nichols for the first three games of the season and Harris rushed for a career-best 1,390 yards.

In 2017, Costello’s offensive line helped propel Andrew Harris to a league-leading 1,035 yards rushing, and allowed the fewest quarterback pressures in the CFL at 71.

Costello first came to Winnipeg in 2016 to serve as assistant offensive line coach to Bob Wylie. Prior to joining Winnipeg, Costello spent two seasons at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point as run-game coordinator and offensive line coach. In his first season, the team put up 114.8 rushing yards per game and was third in the conference with 14 rushing touchdowns.

Before UWSP, Costello coached at Valley City State. He started as co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, and for his final three seasons, was promoted to offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. His team at Valley City State won three consecutive conference championships.