Sammy Okpro (born May 2, 1984) was the defensive coordinator for York University's football team, the York Lions of U Sports.[1] He played CIS football as a defensive back for the Concordia Stingers from 2004 to 2007.
| York Lions | |
| Born: | May 2, 1984 Montreal, Quebec |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| CFL status | National |
| Position(s) | Defensive coordinator |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | 186 lb (84 kg) |
| University | Concordia |
| High school | Pierrefonds Comprehensive |
| CFL draft | 2008, round: 4, pick: 25 |
| Drafted by | Edmonton Eskimos |
| Career history | |
| As coach | |
| 2013–2014 | Edmonton Huskies |
| 2015–2016 | Edmonton Huskies |
| 2017–present | York Lions |
| As player | |
| 2008 | Edmonton Eskimos |
| 2009 | Edmonton Eskimos* |
| 2010 | Edmonton Eskimos* |
| Awards | All Canadian (2005) (2006) (2007) All Conference All-Star QUFL (Quebec University Football League) (2005) (2006) - Cocorida Defensive Rookie of the year (2004) - Member of Team Canada roster (2003, 2004) - - Cegep League Rookie of the year (2002) - Vanier Cheetahs M.V.P Defense (2002, 2003) - Cegep All-Star Team "AAA" (2002, 2003) - Midget League M.V.P. Defense (2001) - North Shore Mustangs M.V.P. Defense (2000, |
| Records | Record Holder in Interception 14 int (2002-2003) Vanier Cheetahs |
| Career stats | |
| |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's American football | ||
Representing  Canada
| ||
| World Championship | ||
 |
2011 Austria | Team Competition |
Professionally, he was drafted by the Edmonton Eskimos in the fourth round of the 2008 CFL Draft and spent parts of three years with the team.[2]
Early life
editOkpro first played youth football with Alexander Park as a running back and safety from 1992 to 1997. He then played for the North Shore Lions during high school from 1998 to 1999 where he made the All-Star Team in 1999. He was a member of the North Shore Mustangs from 2000 to 2001 where he was the Midget League M.V.P. Defense in 2001 and made the All-Star Team in both 2000 and 2001. In CEGEP, he played for the Vanier College Cheetahs from 2002 to 2003.[3] There, he was the team MVP on Defense in both years, made the CEGEP All-Star team in both years, and was the CEGEP Rooke of the Year in 2002.
University career
editIn University, Okpro played for the Concordia Stingers from 2004 to 2007.[4] He was the Stingers' Rookie of the Year in 2004 and was a First-Team All Canadian in 2005, 2006, and 2007, while also being named the team MVP in 2007. He was the first Concordia Stingers football player to win three All-Canadian honours.[4]
Professional career
editOkpro was draft in the fourth round, 25th overall, by the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in the 2008 CFL Draft.[2] He dressed in three regular season games while remaining on the practice roster for the remainder of the 2008 season.[2][5] He attended training camp with the team in 2009, but was part of the Eskimos' final cuts on June 25, 2009. He was re-signed by the Eskimos on April 12, 2010, but was again part of training camp cuts on June 7, 2010.[2][6]
Coaching career
editOkpro first joined the Edmonton Huskies as the team's defensive backs coach and co-defensive coordinator in 2013.[1] He was then promoted to defensive coordinator in 2015 and served in that role for two years.
On July 17, 2017, it was announced that Okpro had joined the York Lions as the team's defensive coordinator, reuniting him with Warren Craney, who was his coach at Concordia.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c "York names Okpro defensive coordinator of Lions football team". York Lions. July 17, 2017. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Esks welcome back Okpro". Edmonton Eskimos. April 12, 2020.
- ^ "Okpro has score to settle". Vanier College. January 14, 2004. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
- ^ a b "Sammy Okpro gets CFL invite". Concordia Stingers. March 6, 2008. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
- ^ "Stats Crew, Sammy Okpro". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
- ^ "CFL Transactions, 2010". Canadian Football League. Retrieved May 22, 2020.