MONTREAL – The Montreal Alouettes named Turk Schonert as offensive co-ordinator on Tuesday.
The move, which came a day after Kavis Reed was named special teams co-ordinator, completes the top level of the CFL club’s coaching staff under head coach Tom Higgins and defensive co-ordinator and assistant head coach Noel Thorpe.
Schonert and Jeff Garcia, both former quarterbacks, joined the Alouettes in July to assist inexperienced offensive co-ordinator Ryan Dinwiddie. They helped turn around a team that started the 2014 campaign at 1-7 and ended at 9-9.
Dinwiddie remains on the staff as an offensive assistant along with former quarterback Anthony Calvillo. Garcia left after the season.
Schonert’s official title last season was receivers coach, although he also had a hand in game planning. He helped Duron Carter and S.J. Green turn around slow starts and have productive years. Carter was named a league all-star with 1,030 receiving yards while Green starred in the playoffs.
Schonert reportedly looked at NFL opportunities before opting to return.