Former Alouettes coach Trestman excited to help NFL'S Chargers
Marc Trestman spent only five seasons in Montreal as the Alouettes' head coach, but said it remains among the fondest memories of his lengthy career.
The Als went to the Grey Cup three times, winning two CFL championships, under Trestman from 2008-12, when he departed to become head coach of the Chicago Bears. Trestman, 68, said he considers Montreal his second home and tries to return each summer.
He credits former Als owner Robert Wetenhall, who saw something in him the NFL had not to that point.
Wetenhall died in September 2021 at age 86.
“The experience I had was arguably the greatest and most enjoyable football experience, although it was only five years,” Trestman said recently from Los Angeles. “I couldn't wait to get home when the season was over and I couldn't wait to get back in May. It was a good life and I enjoyed every minute of it.”
Trestman has spent 36 years in the game, including 26 in the NFL, and is considered a top offensive coach. But he has been in exile from the NFL for seven years, having served as Baltimore's offensive co-ordinator in 2015-16 before being fired by coach John Harbaugh. Trestman hasn't coached since 2020, when he was head coach and GM of the XFL'S Tampa Bay Vipers. The team went 1-4 before the league's shutdown due to COVID-19.
Hired by the L.A. Chargers in February as senior offensive assistant, he will be reunited with new head coach Jim Harbaugh, who left the University of Michigan. The two worked together with the Oakland Raiders more than 20 years ago.
“When he started to believe he might leave Michigan, we connected,” said Trestman, who has spent the last three years as an adjunct professor at the University of Miami law school, where he received his degree in 1982, teaching a leadership course. “I think so highly of him. When he asked me to be part of it, I welcomed the opportunity.”
Trestman's role will evolve as the season nears. He'll be involved in game planning under offensive co-ordinator Greg Roman and will work closely with starting quarterback Justin Herbert. Trestman emphasized it's a support role.
“It's a role and it serves a purpose to the head coach,” he said. “I'll be actively involved in what they're doing offensively, but I won't be coaching a position. I'll be in the quarterback meetings ... and I'll be privileged to be in that room each day. I'm in a position to use whatever experience I've learned over the years to help the program.
The Chargers (5-12) finished last in the AFC West Division last season. “We're starting at zero,” Trestman said. “We've all watched the tapes and gathered information. I've followed Justin Herbert since he came out (from Oregon). I'm a big fan of his. He has every skill set you need to be great. He's going to be fun to watch and I'm excited.”