Bio

A Halifax native, Steve Sumarah is no stranger to the Huskies football program, having worked for the team for 14 seasons: as Head Coach from 2006-2011, and Offensive Coordinator from 1998-2005. 

"It's a huge honour to be named head coach of the Saint Mary's Huskies," said Sumarah. "To get a chance to do what I love, in the city that I was born and raised, is an amazing opportunity. This is a school I went to; my dad and uncles went here. The history that my family has at Saint Mary's and in Halifax is very deep, and to be back here in this position is a very exciting moment for myself and my family." 

During Sumarah's 14 seasons with the Huskies, the team won 10 AUS Championships, played in five Vanier Cup Championships, and won two Vanier Cups (2001 & 2002).  

Over his six seasons as Huskies head coach, Sumarah was named CIS Coach of the Year in 2009, AUS Coach of the Year three times, and compiled a regular season record of 35-12, and overall record of 42-18. During the 2007 season, Sumarah coached the Huskies to the Vanier Cup Final. 

"I like to consider myself as a people person, and I think very strongly of our student athletes," said Sumarah. "My core values as a coach are trust, communication, and accountability. Those come first, and if our team can take care of those things, then that leads me into my next three priorities: making sure our athletes are strong, graduating students, responsible and dedicated citizens, and finally playing a great, exciting brand of football." 

Sumarah returns to Saint Mary's following 10 seasons as head coach of the Carleton Ravens, where he coached the team to a 29-33 record. He has also been head coach of the Canada National Junior Football Team since 2016, and led Canada to a IFAF U19 World Junior Championship in 2018.  

"We want to make this Halifax's team again. There was nothing better than being at Huskies Stadium on a Friday night, with 5,000 people in the stands, and the energy that brought to this city," said Sumarah.  

Sumarah is a Saint Mary's alumni, graduating with a Masters in Education in 1992. He will be moving back to Halifax with his wife Amanda Hardiman and has one daughter, Brooke, and two stepchildren, Ryan and Brianna Kublek.