Marcel Desjardins was born and raised in Burlington, Ontario. At Laurentian University in Sudbury, Desjardins obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in sports administration. After his first jobs with the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL and the Canada Games Council, Desjardinds started working for the CFL head office in 1994.

During his time at the CFL from 1994 through 1999, he was responsible for the coordination of all player personnel-related matters, including the Canadian college draft and the CFL evaluation camp. He also managed the league’s daily transactions and ensured all player contracts submitted to the league for registration adhered to the Collective Bargaining Agreement. He was in regular contact with all CFL member clubs, as well as the player personnel offices of the NFL, NFLE and the AFL with respect to player movement.

Desjardins joined the Montreal Alouettes in April of 1999 as assistant director of football operations.  In 2002, Desjardins moved up to become the assistant GM with the Alouettes and held that position through the 2006 season. There was a one year stint as the GM for Hamilton in 2007, before Desjardins return to the Alouettes as the assistant GM again in 2008.

As the assistant to General Manager Jim Popp, Desjardins has been responsible for the smooth day-to-day management of the football operations side of the Alouettes. He has been involved in all aspects of the Salary Management System and responsible for contract negotiations, scouting NFL training camps, CIS football, and a number of NCAA bowl games. He has represented the Alouettes’ football operations at numerous CFL meetings and functions. In 2001 and 2002, he organized the CFL’s evaluation camp for the 40 top-rated Canadian players eligible for the CFL draft.

In January, 2013 the as yet unamed Ottawa exxpansion team named Desjardins as their first GM/

Ottawa Tabs Desjardins as First General Manager