Hamilton, Ontario – The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced today that head coach Charlie Taaffe has finalized his coaching staff by hiring Jeff Bleamer as offensive line coach, Mike Nelson as defensive line coach and Dennis Goldman as receivers coach.
“We’re really excited to add coaches of Dennis, Mike and Jeff’s calibre to our team,” said Taaffe. “Having coached alongside Jeff for nine years during our time at the Citadel, I’ve seen firsthand what an excellent teacher and leader he is for the offensive line. Mike is a high-energy coach that brings a wealth of experience from the US college game and understands the CFL from his two coaching stints with the (Edmonton) Eskimos. Dennis is a veteran receivers coach with extensive experience coaching top-tier NCAA college programs who is sure to have a strong and immediate impact on our receiving corps.”
Bleamer will be reunited with Taaffe after spending 10 seasons (1987-1996) together at the Citadel, where Bleamer guided the offensive line. During that decade, the Bulldogs ranked in the top 10 in I-AA rushing eight of the 10 season he was there. Bleamer has also spent time as offensive line coach at Ohio University (2003-04), East Tennessee State (1997-2002) and Colorado (1985-86). Bleamer’s playing career saw him spend four years at Penn State before being drafted in the eighth round of the 1975 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. Bleamer played two seasons with Philadelphia and one with the New York Jets before turning to coaching.
Nelson spent the past 10 seasons coaching the NCAA’s Iowa State Cyclones. At the conclusion of the 2005 season, the Cyclones’ defence set a school record allowing opponents just 2.98 yards per carry eclipsing the previous school record of 3.15 yards per carry set back in 1959. In 1998, with Nelson overseeing the defensive line, the Cyclones’ defence also set a school record recording 32 quarterback sacks. Nelson also coached at Missouri, Kansas State and spent three seasons coaching in Edmonton with the Eskimos.
Goldman brings 35 years of coaching experience to Hamilton. Most recently, Goldman worked as wide receivers coach at Temple University in 2005. Prior to that, the Brooklyn, New York native served two stints at the University of Syracuse where he worked in various capacities with receivers, tight ends and special teams. During his first tenure at Syracuse, Goldman oversaw future NFL standouts Marvin Harrison and Qadry Ismail. Goldman has also honed his craft at The Citadel, Towson State, Maryland, Holy Cross, Northeastern and Princeton.
About the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a member of the Canadian Football League (CFL) with a rich 138-year history, which includes 42 Canadian Football Hall of Famers and 15 Grey Cup Championships. For more information log onto www.ticats.ca
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