Football | 4/10/2015 1:13:00 PM

BURNABY, BC – Simon Fraser University Head Football Coach Kelly Bates has hired Jaime Hill as the Clan's new defensive coordinator and brought back Clan football alumni, Tom Kudaba and Dennis Kelly, as part of his coaching staff.
 
Hill joins the Clan after two seasons as defensive coordinator with Portland State University, which competes in the NCAA Division 1 Big Sky Conference. Hill was also previously defensive coordinator for Brigham Young University from 2006-10 and at Humboldt State (2002-03).
 
"Jaime understands how to create defensive schemes that enable players to excel and succeed," said Bates. "His knowledge and experience is going to be extremely beneficial for us."
 
Last season the Clan defence allowed 447 yards of offense and 36.5 points per game although sophomore linebacker Jordan Herdman finished second in NCAA Division II in tackles and set several conference records.
 
Hill brings professional football experience as well, having worked in the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders (secondary, 2003-04), and the Ottawa Renegades (secondary/co-defensive coordinator, 2004-06), in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers (secondary, 1997-99), and in the XFL with the San Francisco Demons (secondary, 2000-01).
 
In 1972, Kudaba was a freshman lineman on the Clan and Kelly the team's senior quarterback. Now, the two high school football coaching legends are returning to SFU.  Kudaba, co-head coach at Terry Fox Secondary since 1999 after a CFL career that included five seasons with the BC Lions, will be the Clan's new defensive line coach. Kelly, head coach at W.J. Mouat since 1987, will be the associate offensive coordinator.
 
Together, Kudaba and Kelly have won five BC provincial football titles. Both individuals are retiring from teaching in June.
 
"Tom and Dennis are coaching legends and I feel very fortunate that they are returning to SFU to share their experiences with our athletes," said Bates.
 
Kelly will work with new offensive coordinator, Joe Paopao, focusing on quarterbacks, receivers and running backs.
 
Bates also welcomed back Travis Hayes as defensive backs coach and equipment manager and appointed Keenan North as a graduate assistant. Rounding out Bates staff is linebackers coach/recruiting co-coordinator/special teams coordinator, Bryan Wyllie, director of football operations/recruiting co-coordinator/running backs coach/video coordinator, Michael Lionello, and receivers coach, Jon Klyne.
 
Simon Fraser just completed spring football where the new coaches had the opportunity to work with the current team.