Jeff Garcia Joins Montreal Alouettes as a coach

Jeff Garcia spent eleven seasons in the NFL with five different teams. Prior to his arrival in the league with the San Francisco 49ers, Garcia played football for the Calgary Stampede in the CFL.

More from CFL

• Watch: Winnipeg Blue Bombers clinch Grey Cup with insane OT interception
• Year of the Rocket is a fun foray into the Canadian Football League
• The federal government denies the CFL’s request for a $30 million interest-free loan
• Johnny Manziel blows his chance in CFL, so what’s next?
• Day after Hall of Fame induction, Terrell Owens works out for CFL team

Following his second stint with the Philadelphia Eagles, his last season in the NFL, Garcia joined the now defunct United Football League before bowing out from professional play. That’s 17 seasons of throwing the football.

Today, he is going back to the CFL but this time as a coach.

The Montreal Alouettes announced today that the former player has joined their coaching staff.

"“…we welcome Jeff to our organization and to the offensive coaching staff,” declared General Manager Jim Popp. “He brings tremendous experience, great leadership, competitiveness, and the drive to be the best. We feel that by tapping into Jeff’s knowledge, he will be another key addition in getting our season turned around.”"

The addition of Garcia brings the former players career full circle back to the CFL where his playing days started. His role with the team has yet to fully be defined according to head coach Tom Higgins.

"“Jeff Garcia is a fierce competitor who has had success in every situation he has faced in professional football,” said Head Coach Tom Higgins. “The addition of Jeff is ideal because he brings the expertise he’s gained over his professional years from so many different systems.“We are very excited to welcome Jeff to our coaching staff in his coaching debut. His CFL knowledge and comprehension of the game are key qualities that are going to be invaluable for us to improve as a team in the upcoming weeks. Over the next few days, we will be able to better evaluate all of our coaches and establish what their exact roles will be.”"

In his final year with the Calgary Stampede and his first as the teams starter, Garcia led the Stampede to a GreyCup Championship. The Alouettes are hoping to find similar success in Garcia’s first year coaching.