How Corey Grant turned a chance encounter into championship success and a coaching career
Corey Grant’s path to becoming the Head Coach of the Carleton Ravens football team is a story of passion, perseverance and purpose — one that began with an unexpected twist that changed the course of his life for the better.
“I was supposed to go to Saltfleet Field to try out for a soccer team,” said Grant.
“But my aunt accidentally took me to Saltfleet High School. They were playing football there, and a coach asked if I wanted to try out.”
That accidental introduction sparked a love for the game that carried Grant from the fields of Stoney Creek, Ont., to a career in the CFL and now to the top job at Carleton.
After a standout high school career, Grant attended Wilfrid Laurier University, choosing the Golden Hawks over other programs in part to stay close to home and in part to honour his grandmother’s wish that he not travel too far from Hamilton.
At Laurier, Grant transitioned from running back to wide receiver — a move sparked by a moment of realization at a high school all-star game where he saw “guys a lot bigger than me” in the backfield. That switch paved the way to his CFL career.
Grant was selected seventh overall in the 1999 CFL Draft by his hometown team, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. His draft day story reads like something out of a movie — sprinting out of an exam to catch the news, crying with joy upon hearing his name called by legendary coach Ron Lancaster, and keeping the stained yellow T-shirt he wore that day as a memento.
His rookie season culminated in a Grey Cup championship and an Eastern Rookie of the Year honour — all at age 22.
“It was a dream come true season,” said Grant.
“I graduated university, got drafted by my hometown team, helped them win a Grey Cup. I’ll never forget it.”
But it wasn’t just about what happened on the field. Grant always had one eye on what came next. With encouragement from the Tiger-Cats organization, he began exploring teaching and coaching, earning a Master’s degree while also juggling football.
“I’d be finishing assignments on the plane and studying the playbook at the same time,” he said.
“But I knew I wanted to coach, and I knew coaching was teaching. Coaching is serving others.”
That philosophy continues to define him as a leader. Grant’s journey through the coaching ranks included grassroots work with the Niagara Spears and Halton Cowboys, professional experience with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and was the offensive coordinator for the McMaster team in the 2019 Yates Cup. Each step provided lessons — including the setbacks.
“There were jobs I didn’t get,” he said.
“They said I needed more experience, a master’s, or to coach a team that hadn’t won. So I did all of that. You have to put in the work.”
Now in charge of the Ravens, Grant is focused on building a program with purpose. His approach blends old-school fundamentals with modern leadership rooted in empathy, energy and service.
“My job is to serve. What do my players need from me — on the field, off the field, as people?” he said.
“Energy isn’t destroyed; it’s transferred. I want to bring the right energy into the room every day.”
A father of two and husband, Grant says his coaching lens has shifted with life experience. He strives to balance the demands of his role with being present at home — and to model that for the young men he leads.
“I wasn’t a head coach when I was single the way I am now with kids,” he said.
“Everything changes — how I lead, how I coach, how I listen.”
When asked what message he wants student-athletes to hear, his answer is simple but powerful.
“You belong. You are someone. You are valued. Be the best at whatever you decide to do. There are no shortcuts to success.”