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Marc Trestman spent only five seasons in Montreal as the Alouettes’ head coach, but said it remains among the fondest memories of his lengthy career.

The Als went to the Grey Cup three times, winning two CFL championships, under Trestman between 2008 and 2012, when he departed to become head coach of the Chicago Bears. Trestman, 68, said he considers Montreal his second home and tries to return each summer.

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He credits former Als owner Robert Wetenhall, who saw something in him the NFL had not to that point. Wetenhall, who died in September 2021 at age 86, allowed Trestman to return to the U.S. for six months at the end of each season to be with his family.

“The experience I had was arguably the greatest and most enjoyable football experience, although it was only five years of my entire career, in so many ways,” Trestman told the Gazette by telephone recently from Los Angeles, hired in mid-February as the NFL Chargers senior offensive assistant. “I couldn’t wait to get home when the season was over and I couldn’t wait to get back in May. It was a good life and I enjoyed every minute of it.”

Trestman has spent 36 years in the game, including 26 at the NFL level, and is considered a top offensive coach. But he has been in exile from the NFL for seven years, having served as Baltimore’s offensive co-ordinator in 2015 and ’16 before being fired by head coach John Harbaugh. Trestman hasn’t coached since 2020, when he was head coach and general manager of the XFL’s Tampa Bay Vipers. The team went 1-4 before the league’s shutdown due to COVID-19.

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Working for the Chargers reunites Trestman with new head coach Jim Harbaugh, who left the University of Michigan. The two worked together with the Oakland Raiders more than 20 years ago and have remained in touch over the years, Trestman visiting the Wolverines’ training camp last year while attending meetings.

“When he started to believe he might leave Michigan, we connected,” said Trestman, who has spent the last three years as an adjunct professor at the University of Miami law school, where he received his degree in 1982, teaching a leadership course. “I think so highly of him. When he asked me to be part of it, I welcomed the opportunity.

“Coaching is a service. It fulfils a need of people who need to be taught the game, taught the fundamentals of leadership and life,” he added. “It’s just an extension of my class to be able to do this again. I wanted to help Jim, that’s it.”

Trestman’s role will evolve as the season nears. He’ll be involved in game planning under offensive co-ordinator Greg Roman and will work closely with starting quarterback Justin Herbert. Trestman emphasized it’s a support role and shouldn’t be taken out of context.

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“It’s a role and it serves a purpose to the head coach,” he said. “I’ll be actively involved in what they’re doing offensively, but I won’t be coaching a position. I’ll be in the quarterback meetings … and I’ll be privileged to be in that room each day. I’m in a position to use whatever experience I’ve learned over the years to help the program.

“This is another opportunity to teach and expand myself,” said Trestman, who went 13-19 over two seasons as the Bears’ head coach. “I still have a lot of energy … a lot of juice. I try to touch a life every day, make somebody better and use my heart to do that.”

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 along with 20 touchdowns. He was intercepted seven times. The 6-foot-6, 236-pound Herbert is entering his fifth season with L.A.

“We’re starting at zero,” Trestman said. “We’ve all watched the tapes and gathered information. I’ve followed Justin Herbert since he came out (from Oregon). I’m a big fan of his. He has every skill set you need to be great. He’s going to be fun to watch and I’m excited.”

Trestman returned to the CFL with Toronto in 2017, guiding the Argonauts to a Grey Cup that season despite a 9-9 record. But the team went 4-14 the following season and he was fired. Trestman nonetheless coached Anthony Calvillo and Ricky Ray, two of the greatest CFL quarterbacks. Trestman said he also followed the Als’ improbable Cup win last season and stays connected with Montreal GM Danny Maciocia.

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