Football Coaching Staff 2026

JEFF BROCK

Head Coach

~21st Season~

(12th as Head Coach)

Coach Brock enters his 21st season at Nelson and his twelfth as Head Coach. A member of the Physical Education Department, Coach Brock played his University football for the Queen's Golden Gaels. Coach Brock is also the Offensive Co-Ordinator and responsible for Special Teams. Jeff has also coached with numerous teams at the Community level and is currently the Tackle Director for the Burlington Minor Football Association. At Nelson, Brock has won 9 Halton Titles and 4 Provincial titles (2005, 2011, 2016, 2019).

	JERRY PHILIP Defensive Backs Coach ~15th Season~			CHRIS KUSMIRSKI Special Teams Coach ~8th Season~
	Coach Philip is in season fifteen in Red and Gold. Coach Philip will work with the Defensive Backs. Jerry played University football for York and played in the CFL with the Edmonton Eskimos. He has been a part of three Provincial titles (2011, 2016, 2019). Coach Philip also recently coached with the Hamilton Hurricanes (CJFL).			Chris returns to the Lords for the 2026 season. Coach K will once again work with the kickers and help to co-ordinate the Lords Special Teams. Coach K Senior is currently coaching with the Burlington Stampeders U14 AAA Team.

	BRIAN BROCK Offensive Line Coach ~7th Season~			CHRIS KUSMIRSKI JR Asst. Special Teams Coach ~7th Season~
	Recognized as one of the provinces top high school coaches over his 31 year teaching career at Lorne Park SS and Etobicoke CI, Coach Brock Sr has spent the past 15 years coaching the offensive line at McMaster University. He brings great experience to the Lords program having coached in East/West Bowl games, guest coached at CFL Camps, worked for Team Ontario and has been a NCCP course conductor.			Chris Kusmirski JR returns to the Lords this season to work with his father on the Nelson Special Teams Units. Coach K Junior is also the Head Coach at Sir Winston Churchill in Hamilton and the Head Coach of the Burlington Stampeders U14 AAA Team.

	STEVE CARTER Defensive Coordinator ~6th Season~			ALEX PORCO Asst. Defensive Backs Coach ~6th Season~
	Steve returns to work alongside the other Defensive Coaches in Coordinating the Lords Defence. Coach Carter has also coached with the Burlington Stampeders in the OPFL and also at Central HS with the Trojans. Steve will work primarily with the Defensive Backs and Linebackers daily.			Coach P is back with the Defensive Backs in 2026. She was an outstanding addition to the Coaching Staff and is well respected by coaches and players alike. Alex is also the first female coach in the CJFL with the Hamilton Hurricanes.

	DON BENNETT Receivers Coach ~3rd Season~			ROBBIE WALKER Running Back Coach ~3rd Season~
	Coach Bennett returns for his third season in Red & Gold. Both Don's sons have played for Nelson and graduated on to USPORTS careers. Coach Bennett has been on the sidelines for many years with the Burlington Stampeders program.			Robbie Walker returns for his third season at Nelson since graduating as a player after the 2016 OFSAA Championship. Walker went on to have a solid career for the Mt. Allison Mounties. We are excited to have Robbie back at Nelson in 2026.

	GRANT COBB Linebackers Coach ~2nd Season~			DEREK ENROS Offensive Line Coach ~3rd Season~
	Grant joins the Lords for the 2026 season on the Defensive side of the ball. Coach Cobb looks to carry on a legacy in the Red and Gold after sons Jack and Loche both excelled at Nelson. Jack is currently a starting LB for the Guelph Gryphons.			Coach Tiny returns for a third season on the Lords sidelines. Derek has a wealth of Offensive Line experience having coached at Lorne Park HS and with the Mississauga Warriors and Burlington Stampeders. We are excited to have Coach Tiny back to work with Coach Brock SR in the trenches.

	PHIL DEVEY Defensive Line Coach ~1st Season~			EDNA PARNHAM Team Manager ~12th Season~
	Coach Devey joins the Lords for his first season in 2026. Phil has worked with the Burlington Stampders for many seasons and will be a welcome addition to the Lords Staff.			Edna returns for a twelfth season with the Lords to carry out administrative duties. Both Edna's sons (Connor and Tyler) are former Lord WRs. Edna's effort and support of the program are unmatched.

	MAX DUNN Student Manager ~4th Season~			DR. DAVE DORION Team Doctor ~12th Season~
	Max will rejoin the Lords in 2026 to assist with managerial duties at practices and games. A member of the Nelson CPP Program, Max continues to be a welcome addition to the Lords Football Program.			Dave continues with the Nelson program this year providing our athletes with top of the line medical care and rehabilitation. With the growth of his clinic 'Burlington Sport & Spine' in the Nelson area, Dave continues to be a vital part of Nelson Lords athletics.

MARC MESSIER

Head Coach

~27th Season~

(2nd as Junior Head Coach)

Coach Messier will return to the Head Coach role with the Jr. Lords in 2026 after taking over from the late Nick Mlekuz. Marc enters his 27th season with the Lords and first spent at the Jr. Level. Coach Mess has been a part of five of the Lords six Provincial titles and plays an integral role in offseason strength and conditioning. A graduate of Central Michigan University, Coach Messier is also the Athletic Director at Nelson HS.

	MICHAEL MOORE Offensive Assistant Coach ~9th Season~			RANDY LEWIS Assistant Coach ~8th Season~
	Coach Moore enters his ninth season with the Jr Lords. Prior to Nelson, Mike spent time at Pearson HS coaching the Patriots. A welcome addition to the Phys-Ed Department, Michael will take over many offensive duties this season.			Coach Lewis is back on the sidelines again this season. Randy's son Sam was a standout receiver with Nelson and the Guelph Gryphons. Randy brings a strong football background back to the program. Excited to have you back Coach!

	PAUL PRIESTNER Line Coach ~4th Season~			ADAM COMPISANO Offensive Assistant Coach ~2nd Season~
	A familiar name around Nelson has returned to the Red and Gold in 2023 and will be back again in 2026. Coach Priestner was a former Lords standout player before a strong University career at Western. Paul's youngest son Daniel is a Sr Lords Receiver while his older son James graduated after starting at WR for the McMaster Marauders.			Coach Compisano returns after joining the Lords in 2025. Adam arrives in Red and Gold after coaching stops at Craig Kielburger (Halton) and St. Paul (Niagara). Adam will be looked at to play a bigger role in 2026.

	HUGH THARBY Defensive Assistant Coach ~1st Season~			DON GRAHAM Assistant Line Coach ~1st Season~
	Coach Tharby makes the move to Nelson in 2026 after being the Head Coach at Corpus Christi for many season. Hugh and family have a long history in Red and Gold and we are excited to finally welcome him home!			Coach Graham joins the Lords in 2026 after a long career in football. Stops with the Burlington Minor Football Association, Junior football and McMaster Marauders. Welcome to Nelson!