Ottawa BlackJacks relieve Charles Dubé-Brais of head coaching duties

The Ottawa BlackJacks announced on June 3 that the organization has parted ways with head coach Charles Dubé-Brais. 

The BlackJacks have started the 2022 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) season with an 0-3 record following a 98-81 loss to the expansion Scarborough Shooting Stars on Thursday, June 2 at TD Place.

Dubé-Brais leaves the BlackJacks with a 4-13 regular season record and a 1-1 playoff mark. He was named head coach of the BlackJacks for the 2021 campaign and re-signed with the club November 22, 2021. 

“After a disappointing start to our season, I felt it was necessary to make a personnel change,” said Jevohn Shepherd, the general manager and vice-president of basketball operations of Ottawa's CEBL team. “This team should be performing better, and I believe a fresh outlook will help turn things around. Charles (Dubé-Brais) is a very good coach and I appreciate his commitment with the BlackJacks over the past two seasons.”

James Derouin, the director of basketball strategy and analytics withe Ottawa BlackJacks, has been named interim head coach.

An Ottawa native, Derouin has been the head coach and program manager of the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees since June of 2010 and is the winningest coach in Gee-Gees men's basketball history. 

Derouin will make his professional coaching debut on Sunday, June 5 when the BlackJacks travel to St. John’s for a game against the expansion Newfoundland Growlers. 

“It is never easy to join a team this way, however I am excited about helping lead the BlackJacks to success,” said Derouin. “Being provided my first professional coaching assignment in my hometown is an honour. Having been a part of the BlackJacks organization for the past two seasons, I feel like I understand this league. I am also grateful to the University of Ottawa for allowing me to take this opportunity to coach professionally in the CEBL while maintaining my university coaching career.”