Hamilton Tiger-Cats name Brent Monson as defensive co-ordinator

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats hired Brent Monson as their defensive co-ordinator Tuesday.

Monson, a Hamilton native, joins the Ticats after 15 seasons with the Calgary Stampeders, the last six as their defensive co-ordinator. The franchise earned Grey Cup wins in 2014 and '18 during Monson's tenure.

Monson, 39, began his pro coaching career as a video assistant with the Stampeders in 2009. He was promoted to strength-and-conditioning coach and defensive quality control coach in 2010.

He later served as a defensive line coach (2011), running backs coach (2012-14) and linebackers coach (2015-18) before being named Calgary's defensive co-ordinator in 2019.

"Brent is a young and innovative coach who has earned his way up through the coaching ranks and has had success at each step," said Ticats Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator Scott Milanovich in an email news release issued by the team on Tuesday. "We're proud to bring him home to Hamilton and I'm confident that he will get the most out of our players on defence."

The email said Monson played football while he was a student at St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School and also played in the Canadian Junior Football League with the Burlington Braves. The email also said he went to McMaster University and began his coaching career with the Ontario Varsity Football League's Steel City Ironmen and coached at Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School in Ancaster.