Dubs named defensive coordinator of Axemen football

The Acadia Axemen football program is pleased to announce that Brandon Dubs will take on the role of defensive coordinator for the 2025 season. Dubs, who served as Acadia’s special teams coordinator last year, brings a decade of U SPORTS coaching experience and a proven track record of developing elite defensive talent.

Dubs began his coaching career at his alma mater, Mount Allison University, where he was the special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach from 2013 to 2016. During his tenure, the Mounties won back-to-back AUS championships (2013, 2014) and appeared in four consecutive title games (2013–2016). Under his leadership, Mount Allison produced 11 AUS All-Stars, three All-Canadians, and a CFL Draft pick.

In 2017, Dubs joined Saint Mary’s University, taking on the same special teams and defensive backs coaching roles before adding co-defensive coordinator duties in 2018. Over five seasons with the Huskies, he helped guide the team to two AUS championship appearances (2017, 2018) and mentored 11 AUS All-Stars, three All-Canadians, an AUS Rookie of the Year, and four CFL Draft selections.

Dubs joined the Axemen staff in 2024 as special teams coordinator, where he played a key role in the development of Acadia’s AUS Rookie of the Year. Now shifting to the defensive coordinator role, he is eager to apply his experience and defensive philosophy to the program.

“I have a ton of gratitude for this opportunity Coach Cummins has given me,” said Dubs. “Coaching at the U SPORTS level for 10 seasons and working at my craft for 13 years, I’ve always been working towards coordinating on the defensive side of the ball. When I was younger, I thought I was ready. Looking back, I’ve realized everything happens for a reason and now is the right time. I’ve learned a lot from the great coaches I’ve worked for, and I can’t thank them enough. Kelly Jeffrey, Scott Brady, Gaetan Richard, Chris Hopkins, and James Colzie III have all taught me valuable lessons in how to approach teaching the game of football. Saying I’m excited is an understatement. I’m looking forward to giving the players and the Acadia family everything I’ve got to make us the best we can be. It’s not going to happen overnight, but I’m excited to start this journey with them.”

Dubs has developed some of the top defensive players in the AUS, making his leadership and expertise a key asset as the Axemen continue their pursuit of success in the AUS conference.