Former Als coach Mark Testman said he wants to help the NFL's Chargers

Trestman was hired as the Chargers' senior offensive assistant in mid-February, his first NFL job in seven years.

Published on April 15, 2024 • Last updated 6 hours ago • 4 minutes of reading

Former Alouettes head coach Mark Testman in 2012. Photo by Pierre Obendrauf /Montreal Gazette files

Marc Trestman spent just five seasons as the Alouettes' head coach in Montreal, but said it remains one of the best memories of his long career.

Als won two CFL championships and went to three Gray Cups between 2008 and 2012 when he left to become head coach of the Chicago Bears under Trestman. Trestman, 68, said he considers Montreal his second home and tries to return every summer.

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He credits former Als owner Robert Wettenhall with seeing something in him that he didn't make it to this point in the NFL. Wetenhall, who died in September 2021 at the age of 86, allowed Trestman to return to the US for six months at the end of each season to be with his family.

“The experience I've had is the greatest and the most positive football experience, but it's only been in five years of my entire career,” Trestman told the newspaper in a recent interview from Los Angeles in mid-February. NFL Chargers senior offensive assistant. “He couldn't wait to get home to get the season over and come back in May. It's been a good life and I've enjoyed every minute of it.”

Marc Trestman talks to an Alouettes player in his practice uniform — Montreal Alouettes head coach Mark Testman, left, speaks to players during practice on November 14, 2012. Photo by Dario Ayala /Montreal Gazette files

Trestman has spent 36 years in the game, including 26 at the NFL level, and is considered an offensive coach. But he spent seven years in exile from the NFL, serving as Baltimore's offensive coordinator in 2015 and '16 before being fired by head coach John Harbaugh. Trestman has not coached since 2020, when he was the head coach and general manager of the XFL's Tampa Bay Vipers. The team was 1-4 before the league shut down due to COVID-19.

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Working for the Chargers will reunite Testman with new head coach Jim Harbaugh, who left the University of Michigan. The two teamed up with the Oakland Raiders more than 20 years ago and have stayed in touch over the years, with Trestman visiting Wolverines training camp last year while attending meetings.

“When he started to believe he was going to leave Michigan, we joined,” said Trestman, who spent the past three years as an adjunct professor at the University of Miami Law School, where he earned his degree in 1982 and taught a leadership course. “I think very highly of him. When he asked me to be a part of it, I gladly accepted the opportunity.

“Coaching is a service. It fulfills the need of people who need to be taught the game, to be taught the basics of leadership and life,” he added. “It's just an extension of my classroom. I just wanted to help Jim, that's all.''

Testman's role will evolve as the season approaches. He will be involved in game planning under offensive coordinator Greg Roman and will work closely with starting quarterback Justin Herbert. Trestman emphasized that this is a supporting role and cannot be taken out of context.

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“It's a role and it serves a purpose as a head coach,” he said. “I'm actively involved in what they're doing offensively, but I don't coach the position. I'm on my fourth date … and I'm privileged to be in that room every day. I can use the experience I have learned over the years to help the program.

“It's another opportunity to teach myself and expand myself,” said Trestman, who went 13-19 in two seasons as the Bears' head coach. “I still have a lot of energy … a lot of juice. I try to reach life every day, try to make someone better and use my heart to do it.”

The Chargers (5-12) finished last in the AFC West division last season. In 13 games, Herbert completed 297 of 456 passes for 3,134 yards and 20 touchdowns. He was arrested seven times. The 6-foot-6, 236-pound Herbert is entering his fifth season in LA

“We're starting from scratch,” Testman said. “We all watched the tapes and gathered information. I've followed Justin Herbert (from Oregon) since he came out. I am a big fan of his. He has all the skills needed to be great. It's going to be fun to watch, and I'm really excited.”

Marc Trestman smiled and lifted the gray trophy above his head — Toronto Argonauts head coach Mark Testman celebrates after winning the 105th Gray Cup on Nov. 26, 2017 in Ottawa. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia Network files

Trestman returned to the CFL in 2017 with Toronto, guiding the Argonauts to the Gray Cup that season despite a 9-9 record. But the team went 4-14 the following season and he was fired. Trestman, however, coached Anthony Calvillo and Ricky Ray, two of the CFL's top four backs. Trestman said the Als won the Improbable Cup last season and is in contact with Montreal GM Danny Macchiocia.

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