2016 World Junior Champion Head Coach Returns To Post
WARREN CRANEY NAMED LEADER OF TEAM CANADA
EDMONTON & OTTAWA – Football Canada proudly announces the return of Warren
Craney as the head coach of the Canadian Men’s Junior National Team. With a prestigious
track record that includes the 2016 IFAF World Juniors gold, Craney is set to guide Team
Canada towards a potential third consecutive championship victory.
Since starting his journey with the national junior program in 2009, Coach Craney has
achieved unparalleled success, earning the title of the most decorated coach in the history
of the IFAF World Junior Tournament.
“Warren Craney’s experience and past successes make him the natural choice to lead our
team as we strive to defend our championships on home soil this June,” said Jim Mullin,
President of Football Canada.
Originally from Kirkland, Quebec, Craney has previously led the Junior National Team to
international acclaim, securing a Gold Medal as Defensive Coordinator in 2012 in Austin,
Texas. He assumed the head coaching role in Kuwait in 2014, winning silver, then followed
up with a Gold Medal in China in 2016, marking Canada’s second world championship. He
returned to the 2024 team as Special Teams Coordinator, a role he held until his recent
appointment as head coach.
Joey Swarbrick, Interim Director – Sport, who oversaw the national evaluation camps in
December, commended Craney’s expertise. “His insights into international tournament
football are tried and tested. From player evaluation to roster selection, and the intense
demands of tournament play, Warren’s strategies and knowledge are top-notch,”
Swarbrick stated.
“It is with great pride that I accept the honor of being named the Team Canada Head
Football Coach for the U20 team for the second time in my career,” Craney stated. “Having
served in this role before and working closely with Coach Steve Sumarah, I anticipate a
seamless transition as we prepare for the 2024 tournament in Edmonton.”
Craney’s coaching acumen is supported by his tenure as a U SPORTS Head Coach at York
University from 2010 to 2022, where several players advanced to the CFL and NFL. This
followed a successful period as a Defensive Coordinator at Concordia University. His
CANADA coaching career, spanning over 27 years, is a testament to his enduring dedication to the
sport.
Football Canada extends heartfelt gratitude to departing head coach Steve Sumarah and
defensive coordinator Jeff Cummins for their significant contributions. Their efforts were
instrumental in securing the gold for Canada at the World Junior Championship in 2018
in Mexico City, an event witnessed by over 30,000 fans at Estadio Olimpico.
Although Sumarah was scheduled to lead the team in the 2020 and 2021 World Juniors,
the events were unfortunately canceled due to the pandemic. As we move forward,
Football Canada is excited to embark on this next chapter under the seasoned leadership
of Coach Craney.
“I want to personally thank Steve for everything he has done for the program during his
tenure as Head Coach. He is an exceptional coach and a good friend,” Coach Craney
remarked.
Craney recalls that securing the gold in Harbin, China, proved to be a once-in-a-lifetime
experience for the 2016 team. It was about more than just football; it was a cultural
exchange.
“Over the course of 26 demanding training camp and tournament days in Harbin, we had
the incredible opportunity to immerse ourselves in Chinese culture,” Craney reflected.
“The warmth of the Chinese people was undeniable as they embraced and cheered for us,
especially during the thrilling gold medal final game where we managed to upset a
formidable United States team. The entire journey was not just a victory on the field but
also a celebration of cross-cultural camaraderie and sportsmanship.”
According to Craney, embarking on the pursuit of a historic third consecutive gold medal
is a testament to the exceptional caliber of football athletes and the depth of coaching that
Canada continues to produce.
“The prospect of clinching gold on Canadian soil, with the iconic maple leaf proudly
displayed, adds an extra layer of excitement to this opportunity,” Craney added.
More updates on Team Canada will be announced in the coming weeks.
TEAM CANADA JUNIOR MEN’S COACHING HISTORY
For More Information:
Jim Mullin
President, Football Canada
T: 778-996-7398
E: [email protected]
