Brent Monson
Defensive Coordinator
CFL: 15th season
Stamps: 15th season
Monson is in his 15th season as an assistant coach for the Stampeders and his sixth as defensive coordinator.
The Stampeders defence in 2023 was led by West Division and CFL all-star linebacker Micah Awe, who set a team record for most tackles in a season with 134 and led the league in both tackles and defensive plays. Mike Rose also earned division and league all-star recognition after leading all defensive tackles with 11 sacks. Cameron Judge was tied for second in the league and was first among linebackers with five interceptions in 2023.
In 2022, the Stampeders led the CFL in sacks and allowed the league’s second-lowest point total. The Calgary defence was No. 1 in fewest yards allowed per play, opponent second-down conversion rate and big plays allowed. The Stamps allowed the second-fewest rushing yards and allowed opponents the second-lowest pass-completion percentage. Defensive linemen Mike Rose and Shawn Lemon, linebacker Cameron Judge and defensive back Jonathan Moxey were named West Division all-stars and Rose, Lemon and Judge earned CFL all-star recognition.
The Stampeders gave up the second-fewest offensive touchdowns in the CFL in 2021 and allowed an average of fewer than 19 points per game, conceding 15 points or less on four occasions. First-year linebacker Darnell Sankey led the league with 87 defensive tackles and was named a West Division all-star while defensive lineman Mike Rose earned CFL all-star honours for the first time in his career.
Monson previously served five years over two stints as linebackers coach (2010 and 2015-18), one year as defensive line coach (2011) and three years as running backs coach (2012-14). He also served as the team’s strength and conditioning coach from 2010-14.
During Monson’s first season as defensive coordinator, the Stamps allowed the fewest big plays in the CFL and were second in yards conceded per play and two-and-outs forced. Linebacker Wynton McManis finished tied for fourth in the league with 86 defensive tackles and opposing teams were held to fewer than 20 points in nine of 18 regular-season games.
In both 2017 and 2018, Monson helped oversee a defence that allowed the fewest points in the CFL. He worked with a linebacker group in 2018 that included standout Jameer Thurman on the weak side and CFL all-star Alex Singleton in the middle. Singleton was voted the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player following a season in which he established a league record for most tackles in a season by a Canadian. He also set team marks for most defensive tackles and most total tackles in a season.
In 2016, outside linebacker Deron Mayo led the Stamps with 77 tackles while Singleton, as a rookie, emerged as the starter at middle linebacker.
The previous season, Monson began his second stint as linebackers coach and oversaw a group that was part of a defence that allowed just 16.1 points per game.
In 2014 when Monson was running backs coach, Jon Cornish led the league in rushing for a third straight season with 1,082 yards despite playing in only nine games. He was named a CFL all-star and the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian. Cornish was one of four Stamps running backs to register a 100-yard rushing game during the season.
In 2013, the Stamps led the CFL in several rushing categories including most first downs (160), most net yards (2,547), highest average per-game yardage (141.5) and highest average gain per rush (6.2). Cornish was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player, Most Outstanding Canadian and Lou Marsh award winner as Canada’s top athlete.
In 2012, during Monson’s first season instructing the running backs, the Stamps led the CFL in rushing touchdowns with 20 and were second in the league with 2,088 rushing yards.
In 2011, Monson was Calgary’s defensive line and strength and conditioning coach.
In 2010, Monson handled a talented and accomplished linebacking corps that contributed to the Stamps defence allowing the fewest points in the West Division. In his first season at middle linebacker, Juwan Simpson shared the team lead with seven sacks, earned CFL all-star recognition and was a finalist for the league’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player award.
Monson is a graduate of McMaster University.
Brent Monson’s Coaching History
2022-present – Calgary Stampeders (CFL) – Defensive Coordinator
2021 – Calgary Stampeders (CFL) – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach
2019-20 – Calgary Stampeders (CFL) – Defensive Coordinator
2015-18 – Calgary Stampeders (CFL) – Linebackers Coach
2012-14 – Calgary Stampeders (CFL) – Running Backs/Strength and Conditioning Coach
2011 – Calgary Stampeders (CFL) – Defensive Line/Strength and Conditioning Coach
2010 – Calgary Stampeders (CFL) – Linebackers/Strength and Conditioning Coach