MONTREAL, QC – December 1, 2008- John Abbott College Athletic Director, Steve Shaw, is extremely pleased to announce that Justin McHugh is the new Islanders football Head Coach.  McHugh will take the reins as the 5th Head Coach in Islander football history, following in the footsteps of George Wall, Bob Bindon, Dennis Waide and Lou Chapman, and is the first off campus football coach to be hired by John Abbott.

Well known in the West Island, McHugh has been coaching since 1991 when a knee injury ended his playing career.  He has been the Head Coach of the very successful North Shore Midget Mustangs for the past 4 years.  The Mustangs played in the provincial championship game in 2005 and 2006, and won in 2007.  He also coached with McGill University in 2002 when the Redmen won the Dunsmore Cup.  He has been with the North Shore Football League for the past 25 years and his teams have played in 16 championship games, winning ten.  A former John Abbott student, McHugh is very team oriented and has great communication skills.  His teams have been very successful everywhere he has coached and played.

“I am very excited about this announcement” said Shaw.  “This is a great opportunity to take our football program in a new direction and Justin is the ideal person to do that.  He is very passionate about football on the West Island and especially at John Abbott.  “He shares very similar values, including academics that our department continues to stress.  I know that it is a very popular choice with our players and the football community on the West Island”.  When asked about this new opportunity, McHugh said: “I am extremely excited to be part of the Islanders football program and I thank the selection committee for their confidence. I look forward to putting together a quality and experienced coaching staff that will have the best interests of John Abbott football and our student-athletes in mind”.

McHugh, 37, lives in Dollard with his wife Danielle and their 3 year old daughter Madison and he currently works as an account executive with The Team 990 – Montreal’s sports authority.