After nine full-time seasons as receivers coach and physical trainer for the Rouge et Or at Laval University, Guillaume Rioux took a new direction in his career by joining the family business founded by his father.
Rioux will start in his new role on 1is December, but will remain on the job for the football season as receivers coach. He will also ensure the transition with his successor, who is not yet known.
“At 25-26 years old, it was a dream job to be a physical trainer and coach in the best football program in the country, but I didn’t see myself in this role for ten more years,” Rioux said to explain his career change. More serious reflection began this winter. I announced my decision to the players in August.
Photo DIDIER DEBUSSCHERE
Two factors convinced Rioux to join the family business with his father, Alain, and his brother, Jonathan. “There is so much stability within the coaching staff with the Rouge et Or that I would have held a similar role for a long time and I needed a job more compatible with my personal life,” he said. explain. I didn’t want to wander from city to city looking for opportunities. This is not the life I want for my partner and my family.”
“The football season is super intense, but there is a balance that is created during the off-season for the coaches,” continued Rioux. However, this is not the case for the physical trainer who returns to full speed in January.”
Personal life
In a relationship with a woman of Mexican origin living in Quebec, Rioux wants to be able to travel as he pleases in his partner’s native country and start a family. “I needed a job that was more compatible with my personal life. I am married, I want to travel to Mexico regularly and I want to have children. I needed a job that would give me the time and money while being well treated by the Rouge et Or to meet these objectives.”
Still a passion for football
A receiver and returner with the Rouge et Or from 2009 to 2013, where he won the Vanier Cup three times, Rioux did not want to cut ties with football. “I wanted football to continue to be part of my life,” he said. I will continue my passion for football part-time and this is the ideal scenario. As for my passion for training, I can live it differently. We started a training center with a few friends.”
“I had good discussions with my father and my brother and they were respectful of my decision,” added Rioux, who also won the Vanier Cup four times as a coach. I keep my passion for football while obtaining greater financial and time independence.
A natural choice
An investment advisor since the end of his hockey career, Alain Rioux has more than 500 clients and is approaching retirement. Along with his other son, Jonathan, they were considering hiring a third person when Guillaume expressed his interest.
“It was natural for me to join them,” summarized the former receiver. My father will continue for a few more years and he will ensure the transition. I will have two great mentors. Finance is a field that has always interested me and I took my investment funds exam in Canada in July. As a self-employed worker, I will have the chance to develop my entrepreneurial spirit. At 25, it wasn’t the job I wanted, but it is at 35.”
Rioux will ensure the transition for the future physical trainer. “Glen [Constantin] was not so surprised by my decision, he clarified. I’m super happy to have spent nine years full-time and to keep one foot in the program.”
