Marc Trestman

Alouettes wish the best of luck to Marc Trestman
Montreal, January 16, 2013

Montreal Alouettes owner Bob Wetenhall wished Marc Trestman the best of luck after Trestman accepted to become the head coach of the Chicago Bears and not return to the Alouettes in 2013.

Over his five seasons at the Alouettes' helm from 2008 to 2012, Trestman led Montreal to four East Division titles and three trips to the Grey Cup final including back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010. Despite Trestman having four years remaining on his current contract, Alouettes owner Bob Wetenhall has allowed him to sign with the Bears.

"My family and I are delighted for Coach Trestman, his lovely wife Cindy, and their two daughters upon his appointment as the head coach of the Chicago Bears," said Wetenhall. He has recently visited with me about going back to the National Football League where he spent 17 years and I was delighted to let him do that after 5 years of service to the Alouettes. His contributions to our franchise, our community and the CFL have extended far beyond his very successful coaching record."

"When we recruited him over five years ago, he expressed to me then that along with fulfilling his coaching obligations, he also wanted to have a positive influence on the players in their personal lives which he has done so well," continued Wetenhall. "Our franchise will miss him, as will I, as we've become very good friends. We wish him and his family all good things in the future. I will be announcing the appointment of our new head coach in the weeks ahead."

During his tenure in Montreal, Trestman won 59 regular season games, tying him with Douglas Walker for the club record, just one win ahead of Don Matthews. He also earned CFL Coach of the Year honours in 2009.

"I am very happy for Marc, Cindy, Sarahanne, and Chloe today. This has been a life long dream that has come true," declared Alouettes general manager Jim Popp. "All Montreal and CFL fans should also be happy for Marc. No question, we have a huge challenge to find our next coach to follow the footsteps of Marc, but we have had success in the past and we will meet the challenge head on and find a new head coach who can continue setting the high standards that we expect in Montreal."

This marks a return to the NFL for Trestman who spent a combined 17 years in a number of positional coach and offensive coordinator roles with the Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, Oakland Raiders and Miami Dolphins since 1985.

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