Kahlil Carter steps down as Als defensive co-ordinator, Stubler takes over

Kahlil Carter has stepped down as defensive co-ordinator of the Montreal Alouettes for personal reasons but will remain with the club as a scout.

The Canadian Football League team announced the change Thursday, less than two weeks before the May 20 start of training camp. Veteran Rich Stubler will take over as defensive co-ordinator.

“I took this difficult decision because, at this point, the most important thing for me is to be able to spend more time with my family”, Carter, a father of four, said in a statement.

“I’m happy to remain a part of the Alouettes as a scout, a position that will give me more flexibility in terms of time management.”

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The 41-year-old Carter, who spent the last three seasons as defensive backs coach of the Calgary Stampeders, was hired by Montreal on Jan. 3 for his first defensive co-ordinator job, with Stubler on staff as his adviser.

The club gave no other details on what forced the change.

“We understand Kahlil’s situation,” said head coach Mike Sherman. “We offered him an alternative position in our organization to accommodate him, and we’re glad that this allows him to remain with the team.

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“Rich has been a member of the staff since the beginning of the year, so he will be able to continue building the defence we want to put in place. He has over 30 seasons of experience in the CFL and is a five-time Grey Cup champion. I have no doubt that he will be successful in this role.”

The Alouettes made sweeping changes to the team — especially on defence — after finishing in last place at 3-15 last season. Defensive backs Joe Burnett and Tommie Campbell, who played under Carter in Calgary, were among their off-season acquisitions.

Stubler, 68, has been a defensive co-ordinator for most of his CFL career, which began in 1983 as linebackers coach with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He has also coached in Toronto, Edmonton, British Columbia and Calgary and was head coach of the Argonauts for 10 games in 2008.