JAMIE LALONDE
VARSITY HEAD COACH
OFFENSIVE LINE COACH
Jamie Lalonde serves as the Varsity Head Coach of Football North, a role he assumed in 2024 after several years of impactful leadership within the program. Since joining Football North in 2017 as Offensive Coordinator, Coach Lalonde has played a pivotal role in developing elite talent, particularly along the offensive line, helping numerous athletes earn NCAA Division I scholarship opportunities.
A former standout collegiate athlete, Lalonde played centre for the Laurier Golden Hawks, where he was a key contributor to the team’s Yates Cup championship victory in 2016. That same year, he was recognized as an OUA All-Star, solidifying his reputation as one of the top offensive linemen in the conference.
Known for his commitment to athlete development both on and off the field, Coach Lalonde is dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for his players. His approach emphasizes not only high-level football performance, but also academic success and long-term growth. He takes pride in mentoring athletes through their journeys beyond Football North, preparing them for success at the collegiate and professional levels.
JARED MANCHULENKO
VARSITY ASSISTANT HEAD COACH
VARSITY OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
RECEIVERS COACH
Jared Manchulenko is highly accomplished football coach and former elite athlete, who brings a championship pedigree and extensive experience at both the national and professional levels. A two-time Team Canada U18 member and gold medalist, as well as a Team Ontario U18 champion, he established himself early as one of the top young talents in the country.
Following his standout youth career, he continued his development at North Dakota State College of Science before advancing to Concordia University, further sharpening his skills at the collegiate level. His performance garnered attention from pro scouts in the 2011 CFL Draft, where he was taken 45th overall by the Calgary Stampeders.
Transitioning into coaching, Coach Manchulenko has built a reputation as a dynamic leader and developer of talent. Formerly the Head Coach of the Football North Regional program, he now is the Offensive Coordinator of the National Program.
In addition he is the Founder of Flight Club Academy 7v7 and Flight Club Academy Tackle Programs, an organization dedicated to developing the next generation of athletes through high-level training, mentorship, exposure, and tournaments in the United States
His coaching résumé also includes national recognition, having served as a coach in the 2018 OD All-American Bowl and the 2019 Youth Pro Bowl, further solidifying his status as a respected figure in prospect development across North America.
With a passion for the game and a proven track record of success, Coach Manchulenko continues to impact players at all levels preparing them for excellence both on and off the field.
EDGAR GARCIA
DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL OPS
JV HEAD COACH
QUARTERBACKS COACH
Edgar Garcia grew up with a football in hand starting at six years old in Mexico City before moving to Cuernavaca, Morelos, where his passion for the sport took shape. A former collegiate quarterback for Legionarios UNINTER, Garcia served as Team Captain and held key records at the Mexican college level at the end of his career. He earned a degree in International Sports Marketing, strengthening his understanding of athletics both on and off the field.
Coach Garcia’s coaching career began in 2003 in Cuernavaca, Morelos, starting at the Pop Warner level and advancing through high school and college programs. At the high school level, he found significant success as both a Quarterbacks Coach and Offensive Coordinator, leading dynamic offenses and developing quarterbacks who excelled in competitive environments. He also coached multiple flag football programs, guiding teams of over 100 athletes and building consistently successful, respected cultures across the region.
Since joining Football North in 2018, Coach Garcia has coached the Varsity team, beginning as Quarterbacks Coach and later serving as Offensive Coordinator in 2023. During his time with the program, he has been a part of some of Football North’s most memorable competitive moments, including upsets against top U.S. high school competition — showcasing the team’s ability to compete at an elite level internationally. In 2024, Coach Garcia expanded his leadership by becoming Director of Football Operations, helping shape the strategic direction and growth of the entire program. He was most recently named Junior Varsity Head Coach, where he continues to focus on team development and success. Coach Garcia’s quarterback development has helped numerous high school athletes secure post-secondary scholarships in Canada and the United States.
Grounded in discipline and driven by motivation, Coach Garcia brings international experience, leadership, and a relentless standard of excellence to Football North focusing on athlete development, team culture, and competitive success.
NICK RICHARDS
JV DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
LINEBACKERS COACH
Nick Richards is a former CFL player and seasoned football coach with over 28 years of experience developing athletes at every level of the game. A graduate of Acadia University, Coach Richards was a defensive back for the Acadia Axemen, earning a leadership role as a team captain during his university career.
He went on to play four seasons in the Canadian Football League spending two seasons with the Ottawa Rough Riders and two with the BC Lions where he competed at the highest level of Canadian football. During his playing career, Coach Richards built a foundation of discipline, resilience, and tactical understanding that he continues to bring to his coaching.
Following his professional career, Coach Richards transitioned into coaching, dedicating nearly three decades to guiding football and youth sports programs. He has coached at the U SPORTS level, including serving as a Defensive Coordinator, and has extensive positional coaching experience working with defensive lines, linebackers, and defensive backs.
In 2016, he expanded his coaching repertoire to include American football, further broadening his impact on the sport. Coach Richards is also one of the original founders of Football North, where he served as Defensive Coordinator and coached the defensive line, linebackers, and defensive backs — helping to build the program and its mission to make NCAA Division I opportunities more attainable for Canadian athletes.
Coach Richards remains passionate about mentoring young athletes, fostering strong team culture, and helping players reach their full potential both on and off the field.
ADAM RITA
SENIOR ASSISTANT
QUALITY CONTROL
Adam Rita is a highly accomplished and deeply experienced football coach and executive, best known for his extensive success in both the NCAA and the Canadian Football League (CFL). Beginning his coaching career at Boise State, where he served as an assistant coach and recruiting director, Coach Rita went on to coach at programs such as UNLV and Hawaii, building a strong foundation in player development and program structure at the collegiate level.
He transitioned to the CFL in 1983, launching a distinguished professional career that included head coaching roles with the Toronto Argonauts, Ottawa Rough Riders, and BC Lions, as well as General Manager positions with both the Lions and Argonauts. Coach Rita is a Grey Cup-winning head coach and a six-time Grey Cup champion overall, recognized for his offensive expertise, leadership, and elite level of preparation across multiple roles.
Following his CFL tenure, Coach Rita continued to expand his impact internationally, coaching across Europe in top leagues in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, and the Czech Republic, further showcasing his adaptability and global football knowledge.
A founding member of Football North in 2016, Coach Rita has played a key role in shaping the program since its inception. Starting as Offensive Coordinator, he now serves as Senior Assistant and Quality Control Coach, bringing decades of experience, structure, and attention to detail to the development of student-athletes.
With a career spanning collegiate, professional, and international football, Coach Rita is widely regarded as one of the most prepared and respected minds in the game.
ZACK LUKINGS
VARSITY DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
DEFENSIVE LINE COACH
Zack Lukings is a highly respected football coach and defensive line specialist with over a decade of coaching experience in the Greater Toronto Area. Known for his ability to develop dominant defensive units and elite trench play, Coach Lukings has built a reputation for producing disciplined, physical, and high-performing defenses at both the club and international prep levels.
A former defensive lineman, Coach Lukings playing career spanned 10 years (15 seasons), culminating in a CFL Regional Combine invitation in 2016. He was a multi-year starting defensive tackle at the University of Toronto, where he recorded 12.5 career sacks and established himself as a consistent presence on the defensive front. His playing career also includes OVFL All-Star recognition and multiple championships at the junior and high school levels.
Since transitioning into coaching in 2016, Coach Lukings has played a key role in building championship-calibre programs. He has contributed to four championship teams across multiple organizations, and has coached Football North in high-profile matchups against top U.S. programs including wins over nationally recognized teams such as Massillon, Ironton, and St. Ignatius.
MASON MCGRISKIN
FRESHMAN HEAD COACH
STRENGHT AND CONDITIONING
Mason McGriskin is the Head Coach of the Freshman Team and Head of Strength and Conditioning at Football North. A former Team Canada quarterback and 4-year starter at Bishop’s University, he brings a high-level, athlete-driven approach to coaching.
Known for bringing new and exciting ideas to build strong, explosive, and relentless athletes, Coach McGriskan sets a high standard in everything he does; combining intense performance training with real football experience to develop players who show up ready to compete, outwork the opposition, and show out on game days.
CHEY CHARLES
JV RUN SYSTEM COORDINATOR
RUNNING BACKS COACH
Chey Charles brings 8 years of playing experience, including time as a running back at the U Sports level with the Carleton Ravens. A graduate of Football North, he understands firsthand the level of discipline, preparation, and consistency required to succeed within the program.
Over the past 3 years, he has been part of a Football North program that has captured three consecutive ECP Championships, consistently competing and winning against top-ranked teams across the United States. His experience in that environment reflects a standard built on execution, physicality, and performing at a high level against elite competition.
Coach Charles sets a demanding standard for his players, emphasizing accountability, preparation, and consistency. He is committed to developing disciplined, competitive athletes who can perform under pressure and separate themselves through their work ethic.