The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce that Todd Howard has been named the club’s Defensive Line Coach. Howard joins Coach O’Shea’s staff after spending the past two seasons holding the same position with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
“Going over to Winnipeg with familiar faces and what I feel is a strong defensive front is a great opportunity for me,” said Howard. “I feel that the organization is really building something strong there, from the top down, and I am excited to be a part of it.”
Howard joined the Canadian Football League for the first time in 2013, helping coach the Riders to a Grey Cup victory in his first season. Last season, his defensive line played a major part in leading the Riders to the top of the CFL sack total with 66. He had three of his defensive lineman tally ten or more sacks last season, including the league leader with 15.
Prior to joining the Riders, Howard had spent the past 21 seasons coaching in the NFL or NCAA ranks, where he most recently was the Defensive Line Coach at the University of California. Other stops along his coaching career have taken him to Washington State (2011), UCLA (2006-10), Louisiana Tech (2000-02), Grinnell College (1994-97) and his alma mater Texas A&M (1991-93). He also worked three seasons with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars as an Assistant Defensive Line Coach from 2003-2005.
