View source for Corey Mace

{{Short description|Canadian gridiron football player and coach (born 1985)}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=August 2024}}
{{use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name          = Corey Mace
| image         = 2024, Coach Corey Mace.jpg
| image_size    =
| alt           = 
| caption       = Mace with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2024
| current_team  = Saskatchewan Roughriders
| position      = [[Head coach]]
| birth_date    = {{Birth date and age|1985|12|22}}
| birth_place   = [[Port Moody, British Columbia]], Canada
| death_date    = 
| death_place   = 
| height_ft     = 6
| height_in     = 3
| weight_lbs    = 294
| high_school   = [[Port Moody]]
| college       = [[Palomar College]] ([[Palomar College|2004]])<br />[[Wyoming Cowboys football|Wyoming]] ([[Wyoming Cowboys football|2005]]–[[Wyoming Cowboys football|2006]])
| cfldraftyear  = 2007
| cfldraftround = 2
| cfldraftpick  = 11
| pastteams     =
* [[Buffalo Bills]] ({{NFL Year|2007|2009}})
* [[Calgary Stampeders]] ({{CFL Year|2010|2015}})
| pastcoaching  =
* Calgary Stampeders ({{CFL Year|2016}}–{{CFL Year|2021}})<br />Defensive line coach
* [[Toronto Argonauts]] ({{CFL Year|2022}}–{{CFL Year|2023}})<br />Defensive coordinator
* [[Saskatchewan Roughriders]] ({{CFL Year|2024}}–present)<br />Head coach<br />Defensive coordinator
| highlights    =
* 3× [[Grey Cup]] champion ([[102nd Grey Cup|2014]], [[104th Grey Cup|2018]], {{CFL Year|2022}})
* Second-team All-[[Mountain West Conference|MW]] ([[2006 Mountain West Conference football season|2006]])
* 2014 Presidents' Ring Award
| statseason    = 
| statlabel1    = Games played
| statvalue1    = 5
| statlabel2    = [[Tackle (football move)|Total tackles]]
| statvalue2    = 2
| statlabel3    = [[Pass deflections]]
| statvalue3    = 1
| statlabel4    = [[Interceptions]]
| statvalue4    = 1
| cflstatseason = 
| cflstatlabel1 = Games played
| cflstatvalue1 = 40
| cflstatlabel2 = [[Tackle (football move)|Total tackles]]
| cflstatvalue2 = 44
| cflstatlabel3 = [[Quarterback sack|Sacks]]
| cflstatvalue3 = 4.0
| cflstatlabel4 = [[Touchdown|Defensive touchdowns]]
| cflstatvalue4 = 2 
}}

'''Corey Mace''' (born December 22, 1985) is a Canadian professional [[gridiron football|football]] coach and former player who is the [[head coach]] for the [[Saskatchewan Roughriders]] of the [[Canadian Football League]] (CFL). He played as a [[defensive tackle]] in the CFL and [[National Football League]] (NFL). Mace played [[college football]] for the [[Wyoming Cowboys football|Wyoming Cowboys]]. He was signed by the NFL's [[Buffalo Bills]] as an [[undrafted free agent]] in 2007.

==College career==
Mace played [[college football]] at [[Palomar College]] before transferring to the [[University of Wyoming]].

==Professional career==

===2007 CFL Draft===
Mace was selected by the [[Winnipeg Blue Bombers]] in the second round of the [[2007 CFL Draft]]. Mace signed with the NFL's [[Buffalo Bills]] just before draft day.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cfl.ca/article/mace_is_young_and_hungry|title=Mace is young and hungry|last=Lefko|first=Perry|date=2007-05-01|publisher=CFL.ca|access-date=2009-06-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616111851/http://www.cfl.ca/article/mace_is_young_and_hungry|archive-date=2012-06-16|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cfl.ca/article/mace_signs_with_nfl_s_buffalo_bills|title=Mace signs with NFL's Buffalo Bills|date=2007-05-01|publisher=CFL.ca|access-date=2009-06-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616111937/http://www.cfl.ca/article/mace_signs_with_nfl_s_buffalo_bills|archive-date=2012-06-16|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Buffalo Bills (first stint)===
Mace signed with the [[Buffalo Bills]] as an [[undrafted free agent]] in 2007. He spent two seasons with the team, appearing in three games in 2008 and recording one tackle. He was not tendered a contract offer as an [[exclusive-rights free agent]] in the 2009 offseason.

===Hamilton Tiger-Cats===
The [[Hamilton Tiger-Cats]] acquired Mace's CFL rights (from the Blue Bombers) along with a [[2009 CFL Draft]] first round pick in exchange for [[linebacker]] [[Zeke Moreno]] in the [[2008 CFL season]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cfl.ca/article/bombs-away-zeke-moreno-dealt-to-winnipeg|title=Bombs Away: Zeke Moreno dealt to Winnipeg|date=2008-09-09|publisher=CFL.ca|access-date=2009-06-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206180134/http://www.cfl.ca/article/bombs-away-zeke-moreno-dealt-to-winnipeg|archive-date=2008-12-06|url-status=dead}}</ref> Mace and the Tiger-Cats got into a contract dispute following the 2009 season. Mace wanted to receive a contract of one-year plus an option year that would enable him to explore NFL options in 2010 with a salary comparable to that of an NFL practice roster player of $95,000. The Tiger-Cats were said to be offering closer to the $65,000 normally offered to second-round draft choices.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=281355|title=Report: DL Mace not happy with Tiger-Cats offer|date=2009-06-09|publisher=TSN.ca|access-date=2009-06-09}}</ref>

===Toronto Argonauts===
Mace's rights were acquired by the [[Toronto Argonauts]], along with a 2010 third-round pick and a conditional pick in 2011 for disgruntled receiver [[Arland Bruce III]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ticats.ca/tiger-cats-acquire-arland-bruce-iii/ |title=Tiger-Cats Acquire Arland Bruce III |publisher=[[Hamilton Tiger-Cats]] |date=July 29, 2009}}</ref>

===Buffalo Bills (second stint)===
Mace was re-signed by the Bills on July 31, 2009. He was waived on September 5 was re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He was signed off the practice squad to the active roster on November 28. He appeared in 2 games and recorded one tackle and one interception, which was returned for 0 yards. On December 7, he was waived by the Bills and added to the practice squad on December 10.

===Calgary Stampeders===
Mace's CFL rights were traded by the [[Toronto Argonauts]] on August 22, 2010, in exchange for non-import linebacker [[Tristan Black]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/argonauts-deal-mace-to-calgary-1.892483 |title=Argonauts deal Mace to Calgary |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=August 21, 2010}}</ref> After the Argonauts traded Mace's rights to the Stampeders, he signed a contract on Aug 29, 2010 to join the Stampeders for the remainder of the [[2010 CFL season]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/stampeders-add-defensive-muscle-with-corey-mace-1.886472 |title=Stampeders add defensive muscle with Corey Mace |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=August 29, 2010}}</ref> Despite being drafted by the Blue Bombers having playing experience with the Bills, Mace did not receive any CFL playing time until the [[2010 CFL season]]. Mace appeared in eight games for the Stamps during the 2010 season. He recovered a fumble and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown in Calgary's October 17 victory in Saskatchewan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-01 |title="I knew it was meant to be": Saskatchewan's the place for Corey Mace |url=https://www.riderville.com/2023/12/01/i-knew-it-was-meant-to-be-saskatchewans-the-place-for-corey-mace/ |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=Saskatchewan Roughriders |language=en}}</ref>

In Week 1 of the [[2011 CFL season]], Mace suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon which caused him to miss the remainder of the season.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Spencer |first=Donna |date=2015-03-17 |title=Calgary Stampeders' Corey Mace earns Presidents Ring |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/mobile/sports/calgary-stampeders-corey-mace-earns-presidents-ring-1.2284910 |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=Toronto |language=en}}</ref>

Mace played a more significant role in the [[2012 CFL season]]. He started all 21 regular-season and post-season games, recording 25 tackles, 2 forced fumbles and 1 sack, and catching a one-yard touchdown pass in an Oct. 26 game against B.C.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Stampeders sign Mace to contract extension – Sportsnet.ca |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/football/cfl/calgary-stampeders-sign-corey-mace-to-contract-extension/?sn-amp |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=www.sportsnet.ca}}</ref> During the post-season, Mace recorded three defensive tackles and one sack.<ref name=":1" /> In December 2012, he signed a contract extension.<ref name=":1" />

Mace suffered a torn shoulder labrum in Week 1 of the [[2013 CFL season]] which caused him to undergo season-ending surgery.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130705033530/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Calgary/2013/07/03/20949001.html Canoe-Slam Sports]}} "torn shoulder labrum"</ref>

Mace made 12 starts during the [[2014 CFL season]], missing 6 games with injuries.<ref name=":0" /> Statistically, he had 11 tackles, a sack and a 10-yard fumble recovery that set up a touchdown.<ref name=":0" /> He played in both of the Stamps post-season games, knocking a pass down in the West Division Final,<ref name=":0" /> and recording a sack in Calgary's win in the [[102nd Grey Cup]].<ref name=":2" />

Following the 2014 season, Mace and the Stampeders agreed to terms of a new contract, preventing him from becoming a [[free-agent]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cfl.ca/2015/01/21/a-familiar-mace-veteran-dl-extends-with-stamps/ |title=A familiar Mace: Veteran DL extends with Stamps |publisher=[[Canadian Football League]] |date=January 21, 2015}}</ref> He was the recipient of the Presidents' Ring, a team award presented annually for performance on and off the field.<ref name=":0" /> His community initiatives have included starting a holiday turkey and ham drive for food banks and charitable groups, and launching Mace's Faces, which allows 15 at-risk youth to attend every Stampeder home game.<ref name=":0" />
[[File:2019, Coach Corey Mace.jpg|thumb|Mace with the Calgary Stampeders in 2019]]
Mace did not play a single game in 2015 after fracturing his foot in the preseason.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Former Stampeder players Claybrooks and Mace headline 2016 coaching staff {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/2393292/former-stampeder-players-claybrooks-and-mace-headline-2016-coaching-staff/ |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref>

After the 2015 season, Mace retired from playing professional football.<ref name=":3" /> In the CFL, he appeared in 40 regular-season and 6 post-season games, and recorded 44 tackles and 4 sacks.<ref name=":2" />

==Coaching career==
===Calgary Stampeders===
On December 10, 2015, following his retirement, he was announced as the [[Calgary Stampeders]]' defensive line coach, replacing his former teammate and coach [[Devone Claybrooks]] who stepped into the role of Stampeders [[defensive coordinator]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.stampeders.com/2015/12/10/stampeders-finalize-coaching-staff/ |title=Stampeders finalize coaching staff|date=December 10, 2015 }}</ref> He won his first [[Grey Cup]] as a coach when the Stampeders won the [[106th Grey Cup]] over the [[Ottawa Redblacks]].<ref name=":4" /> Mace served as Calgary's Defensive Line Coach from 2016 to 2021.<ref name=":4" />

===Toronto Argonauts===
On January 6, 2022, it was announced that Mace had joined the [[Toronto Argonauts]] as the team's [[defensive coordinator]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.argonauts.ca/2022/01/06/argos-hire-corey-mace-defensive-coordinator/ |title=Argos hire Corey Mace as Defensive Coordinator |publisher=[[Toronto Argonauts]] |date=January 6, 2022}}</ref> In his first season as a defensive coordinator, he won the Grey Cup following the team's victory in he [[109th Grey Cup]] game. On November 29, 2022, it was reported by [[The Sports Network|TSN]] insider [[Farhan Lalji]] that Mace was one of three finalists for the vacant [[Ottawa Redblacks]] head coaching job.<ref>{{Cite web |author=TSN ca Staff |date=2022-11-29 |title=Ottawa Redblacks head coaching candidates list down to three |url=https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/ottawa-redblacks-head-coaching-candidates-list-down-to-three-1.1886181 |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=TSN |language=en-CA}}</ref> However, he remained with the Argonauts for the [[2023 Toronto Argonauts season|2023 season]] and later agreed to a contract extension on October 13, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.argonauts.ca/2023/10/13/double-blue-extend-contract-of-defensive-coordinator-corey-mace/ |title=Double blue extend contract of defensive coordinator Corey Mace |publisher=[[Toronto Argonauts]] |date=October 13, 2023}}</ref>

===Saskatchewan Roughriders===
On November 29, 2023, [[The Sports Network|TSN]] reported that Mace had been named as the new [[head coach]] of the [[Saskatchewan Roughriders]]. The Roughriders officially announced him as the team's 48th head coach in club history on November 30, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.riderville.com/2023/11/30/roughriders-name-three-time-grey-cup-champion-corey-mace-head-coach/ |title=Roughriders Name Three-time Grey Cup Champion Corey Mace Head Coach |publisher=[[Saskatchewan Roughriders]] |date=November 30, 2023}}</ref> In his [[2024 Saskatchewan Roughriders season|first season]], he led the team to a 9–8–1 record and a home playoff game following a two-year post-season drought, but lost to the [[Winnipeg Blue Bombers]] in the West Final.

===CFL coaching record===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="5"|Regular Season !! colspan="4"|Post Season
|-
!Won!!Lost!!Ties!!Win %!!Finish!! Won !! Lost !!  Result
|-! style="background:#fdd;"
![[2024 Saskatchewan Roughriders season|SSK]]||[[2024 CFL season|2024]]
||9||8||1||.528|| 2nd in West Division || 1 || 1 || Lost in West Final
|-
! colspan="2"|'''Total'''
||'''9'''||'''8'''||'''1'''||'''.528'''||'''0 Division<br />Championships'''|| '''1''' || '''1''' ||
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons}}
* [https://www.riderville.com/corey-mace/ Saskatchewan Roughriders profile]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081211120834/http://www.buffalobills.com/team/roster/corey-mace/0c3a7199-e0f4-49a9-af7e-1cea2243f4d4/ Buffalo Bills bio]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20141123183631/http://www.stampeders.com/roster/show/id/1969 Calgary Stampeders bio] 
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061105053345/http://wyomingathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/mace_corey00.html Wyoming Cowboys bio]

{{Canadian Football League coach navbox}}
{{Canadian Football League defensive coordinator navbox}}
{{Saskatchewan Roughriders coach navbox}}
{{102nd Grey Cup}}
{{106th Grey Cup}}
{{109th Grey Cup}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mace, Corey}}
[[Category:1985 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Port Moody]]
[[Category:Gridiron football people from British Columbia]]
[[Category:Black Canadian players of American football]]
[[Category:Canadian players of American football]]
[[Category:Black Canadian sportsmen]]
[[Category:American football defensive tackles]]
[[Category:American football defensive ends]]
[[Category:Wyoming Cowboys football players]]
[[Category:Buffalo Bills players]]
[[Category:Calgary Stampeders players]]
[[Category:Palomar Comets football players]]
[[Category:Calgary Stampeders coaches]]
[[Category:Saskatchewan Roughriders coaches]]
[[Category:Toronto Argonauts coaches]]