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Former Sayville High School football star Jack Coan is continuing to climb the professional ranks north of the border.
The 26-year-old quarterback enters his second season with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders and is in training camp vying for the backup quarterback spot behind veteran starter Trevor Harris.
Coan, who played at Wisconsin and Notre Dame before entering the pro ranks, told 620 CKRM he feels significantly more prepared heading into the 2025 season.
“I’ve taken a step from last year. That experience has just helped me a ton,” Coan said. “I’m super comfortable with the playbook now, and just going out there and playing, I feel way better. I understand defenses a little bit more and what they’re trying to do.”
The Roughriders open their regular season June 5, at home against the Ottawa Redblacks.
Coan spent the 2024 campaign as Saskatchewan’s third-string quarterback, playing in the team’s season finale in October, where completed 10 of 21 passes for 100 yards and threw his first CFL touchdown.
The former All-Long Island quarterback noted the difference now is in the details.
“I think the margin is pretty slim and at the end of the day, you really focus on yourself, try to do the best you can do and see what happens from there,” he said.
Coan’s began his football journey playing youth football in Sayville. From there, he led Sayville High School to a Long Island championship in 2015.
A step forward
‘I've taken a step from last year’: Saskatchewan Roughriders' QB Jack Coan making progress amid tough position battle: Second-year veteran part of a deep and talented quarterback room as Saskatchewan makes its way through training camp https://t.co/RkBjqaJS8p via @sasktodayca
— CFL Headlines (@CFL_Headlines) May 17, 2025
He went on to start at Wisconsin and later Notre Dame, guiding the Fighting Irish to an 11-2 season and berth in the Fiesta Bowl in 2021. After going undrafted, he signed with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts in 2022, and was among the last of the pre-season cuts.
Later, he earned tryouts with several NFL teams and started one season for San Antonio in the XFL.
Now, as camp progresses in Canada, the Long Island native is embracing his moment.
“I feel like I’ve taken a step forward,” he told CKRM. “And now I just want to keep proving that every day.”
Top photo: Sayville native Jack Coan (X, Saskatchewan Roughriders).
