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Former Sayville High School quarterback Jack Coan reached another career milestone Saturday, throwing his first Canadian Football League touchdown pass during his debut with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in their 27-12 loss to Calgary.
Coan entered the game late in the second quarter and completed 10 of 21 passes for 100 yards, including a 19-yard scoring strike to Jerreth Sterns in the fourth quarter.
“I was thankful for this opportunity I got tonight and I had a blast being out there,” Coan told the Regina Leader-Post.
Coan, No. 3 on the Roughriders’ depth chart at quarterback for most of the season, received the opportunity to play after Saskatchewan learned earlier in the day that the team was locked into their playoff position.
“It was definitely tough emotionally because you come into the day knowing that you might possibly be playing, possibly might not,” said Coan, who has suited up for every game this season for Saskatchewan
‘Win-win’ situation
Embed from Getty ImagesThe rookie quarterback got his opportunity after the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ victory over Montreal earlier in the day secured the West Division’s top seed, leading Saskatchewan to rest several starters including regular quarterback Trevor Harris.
“I just decided to think of it as a win-win,” Coan said. “If Winnipeg won, I was going to get to play. If not, we were going to have that first-round bye, which was going to be great for us as well.”
Coan’s CFL debut came after a stellar college career that saw him start parts of three seasons for Wisconsin before transferring to Notre Dame for his final season in 2021. With the Fighting Irish, he threw for 3,150 yards and 25 touchdowns while leading the team to an 11-2 record and Fiesta Bowl appearance.
Coan previously played professional for the XFL’s San Antonio Brahmas in 2023, completing six touchdown passes, while throwing for 1,471 yards.
‘Future franchise quarterback’
Embed from Getty ImagesHarris, the quarterback Coan is backing up this year, has said he believes Coan is a future “franchise quarterback.”
“I think we have a future franchise quarterback right there in 14,” Harris told Riderville.com, noting Coan’s jersey number with the Roughriders. “I’m excited for him and his future.”
Coan hopes to fulfill the potential Harris sees in him.
“I have fun every single day and I know I’ll have even more fun when I’m playing out here someday,” Coan told Riderville.com last week, prior to his CFL debut. “It’s a goal of mine to get out here in front of these fans and hopefully have success one day.”
Signed by Indianapolis as an undrafted free agent in 2022, Coan appeared in three pre-season games with the Colts. Notably, he went 7-for-11 for 83 yards against Detroit, only a couple of days before learning he did not make the team.
Harris is impressed by Coan’s dedication to getting better.
“Jack’s a tremendous teammate,” he said in Riderville.com. “He’s a gym rat. He’s here at 6 in the morning and he stays here with me until 6 at night.”
Chasing a championship
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Roughriders (9-8-1) will now host the B.C. Lions (9-9-0) in the West Division semifinal next Saturday, with the winner advancing to play Winnipeg in the CFL’s West final.
Coan was a standout for Sayville, where he won the Hansen Award as Suffolk County’s top football player. He finished his high school career with 9,787 passing yards and 128 touchdown passes, both Suffolk County records.
Coan’s football career
Sayville High School: 2013-2016
Wisconsin (NCAA): 2017-2020
Embed from Getty ImagesNotre Dame NCAA): 2021
Indianapolis Colts (NFL): 2022 (pre-season camp)
The #Colts are releasing QB Jack Coan, per @MySportsUpdate. pic.twitter.com/mRU6ckWkYd
— Colts Coverage (@Colts_Coverage) August 29, 2022
San Antonio Brahmas (XFL): 2023
Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL): 2024
