BC Lions

Head Coaches

1950’s

1954 – 1955    Annis Stukus

Annis Paul Stukus “Stuke” (October 25, 1914 – May 20, 2006) was a CFL player, coach and general manager, and an ice hockey general manager.  Born in Toronto he played for the Toronto Argonauts from 1935 to 1941, leading the team to 2 Grey Cup victories in 1937 and 1938.  He was a pivotal influence in the CFL and in 1953, he turned his services to the expansion BC Lions serving as head coach and general manager. Another of his many accomplishments includes the role of general manager of the Vancouver Canucks in 1967.  The CFL’s award for Coach of the Year is named in his honour. He was elected into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.  He died at his home in Canmore, Alberta, at age 91.

HEAD COACH Stukus, Annis

Annis Stukus

Date of Birth: October 25, 1914 (1914-10-25)
Place of Birth: Toronto, Ontario
Date of Death: May 20, 2006 (2006-05-21) (aged 91)
Place of Death: Canmore, Alberta

Career Information

CFL status: Non-Import
Position(s): QB/K
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight: 205 lb (93 kg)

Organizations

As Administrator:
As Coach:
  As Player:

Career Highlights and Awards

CFL All-Star:
Honours: Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame (1991)

Canadian Football Hall of Fame, 1974 

>

1956 – 1958    Clem Crowe

Clem F. Crowe (October 18, 1903 – April 13, 1983) was an American football and basketball player and coach born in Lafayette, Indiana. He served as the head football coach for various American colleges from 1926 until 1945. He later coached professional football and ultimately ended his coaching career with the CFL as head coach of the BC Lions from 1956 to 1958

HEAD COACH Crowe, Clem

Clem Crowe

Sports: FootballBasketballBaseballGolf
Date of Birth: (1903-10-18) October 18, 1903
Place of Birth: Lafayette, Indiana
Date of Death: April 13, 1983 (1983-04-13) (aged 79)
Place of Death:

Career Information

CFL status: Non-Import
Position(s): QB/K
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight: 205 lb (93 kg)

Organizations

As Coach:
Football
1926–1931
1936–1943
1944
1945
1949
1950
1951
1956–1958Basketball
1928–1932
1933–1943
1944–1945
Saint Vincent
Xavier
Notre Dame (Assistant)
Iowa
Buffalo Bills
Baltimore Colts
Ottawa Rough Riders
BC LionsSaint Vincent
Xavier
Notre Dame
  As Player:

Career highlights and awards

CFL All-Star:
Honours: Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame (1991)

Canadian Football Hall of Fame, 197 

1958                Dan Edwards 

Daniel Moody Edwards (August 17, 1926 – August 7, 2001) played Tight End for the All-America Football Conference, CFL and NFL. In 1950, he was selected for the Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro. He holds the record for the shortest kick off return for a touchdown, 17 yards, set on October 17, 1949. From 1955 to 1957 Dan played for the BC Lions and ultimately went on to be the coach in 1958. He was an Osage Texas man and ended his career as an oil executive.

HEAD COACH Edwards, Dan

Dan Edwards

Date of Birth: (1926-08-17) August 17, 1926
Place of Birth: Osage, Texas
Date of Death: August 7, 2001 (2001-08-07) (aged 74)
Place of Death: Gatesville, Texas

Career Information

CFL status: Import
Position(s): Tight End
Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight: 197 lb (89 kg)
College Georgia
NFL Draft 1948 / Round: 1 / Pick: 9th

Organizations

As Administrator:
As Coach:
1958
1959–1961
BC Lions
Edmonton Eskimos (Line Coach)
  As Player:
1948
1949
1950–1951
1952
1953–1954
1955–1957
Brooklyn Dodgers (AAFC)
Chicago Hornets
New York Yanks
Dallas Texans
Baltimore Colts
BC Lions

Career Highlights and Awards

Records NFL Record for Shortest Kick Off Return for a TouchDown (17 Yards)
1960’s

1959 – 1961    Wayne Robinson

Wayne L. Robinson (born January 14, 1930) born in Minneapolis, Minnesota is a former professional American football linebacker for the NFL from 1952 through 1956. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1954 and 1955.  After his playing career, he coached in the CFL as head coach of the BC Lions from 1959 to 1961.

HEAD COACH Robinson, Wayne

Wayne Robinson

Date of Birth: (1930-01-14) January 14, 1930 (age 82)
Place of Birth: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Career Information

CFL status: Non-Import
Position(s): LB
College Minnesota
NFL Draft 1952 / Round: 8 / Pick: 89

Organizations

As Coach:
1957-1958
1959-1961
1964-1965
1966-1967
1968-1970
1975-1976
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (Asst.)
BC Lions
University of Iowa (Asst.)
Houston Oilers (Asst.)
Green Bay Packers (Asst.)
Atlanta Falcons (Asst.)
  As Player:
1952-1956 Philadelphia Eagles

Career Highlights and Awards

Awards 2 Time Pro Bowler

1961 – 1967    Dave Skrien

David A. Skrien (April 4, 1929 – November 30, 2010) was a CFL player and coach playing two seasons before becoming a coach.  He started as the backfield coach for the BC Lions for 2 years then he was elevated to head coach in 1961 after a 0-6-1 start.  In his six seasons as head coach, Skrien’s teams had a record of 42–47–5 and played in two Grey Cup games, winning in 1964. He also won the Annis Stukus Trophy in 1963 as the CFL coach of the year. Skrien was fired in 1967 after a 0–5 start. He continued to coach and in 1988, Skiren returned to his alma mater Minnesota as a football administrative assistant and recruiting coordinator. He retired after the 1995 season, but remained involved with Golden Gophers football.

1972 handout photo of BC Lions coach Dave Skrien. [PNG Merlin Archive]

Dave Skrien

Date of Birth: April 4, 1929
Place of Birth: Morris, Minnesota, U.S.
Date of Death: November 30, 2010 (2010-11-30) (aged 81)
Place of Death: Mound, Minnesota, U.S.

Career Information

CFL status: Import
Position(s): FB/LB
College Minnesota

Organizations

As Administrator:
1988–1995 Minnesota Football Administrative Assistant and Recruiting Coordinator
As Coach:
1955
1956–1957
1958
1959–1961
1961–1967
1968
1969
1971–1972
1975
1977–1984
Albert Lea HS (MN)
Ball State (assistant)
Minnesota (assistant)
BC Lions (backfield)
BC Lions
Boise State College (assistant)
Edmonton Eskimos (assistant)
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Memphis Southmen {backfield)
Golden Valley Lutheran College
  As Player:
1953
1953–1954
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Winnipeg Blue Bombers

1967                Ron Morris

Ron Morris, a former CFL football player who played for the Calgary StampedersToronto Argonauts, and BC Lions served as the interim head coach of the Lions for one game!  As a player in 1963 he was waived by his Toronto team and a week later claimed by the BC Lions to replace the injured Tom Larscheid. While with BC, Morris was a member of the Lions team that won the 52nd Grey Cup. In 1967 Morris joined the Lions coaching staff, coaching both the offensive and defensive halfbacks. He served as the interim head coach for one game between the firing of Dave Skrien and the arrival of Jim Champion. Morris’ only game as head coach ended in an 18–17 loss to Toronto. He retired from coaching after the 1968 season to work in real estate.

 HEAD COACH Morris, Ron

Ron Morris

Career Information

Position(s): Defensive Halfback
Offensive Halfback/Punter
Split End
College Tulsa

Organizations

As Coach:
1967–68
1967
BC Lions (Assistant Coach)
BC Lions (Interim Head Coach)
  As Player:
1959–61
1961–63
1963–65
Calgary Stampeders
Toronto Argonauts
BC Lions

Career Highlights and Awards

1 Time Grey Cup Champion (52nd)
Records: 0–1–0

1967 – 1969    Jim Champion

James Henry Champion (born January 11, 1926 in Tillatoba, Mississippi) is a retired American and Canadian Football player and coach.  From 1962–65, Champion was a defensive coach with the BC Lions. After leaving for one season he returned to the Lions, this time as head coach. Champion was fired during the 1969 season after a 1–9 start.

 HEAD COACH Champoin, Jim

James Henry Champion

Date of Birth: (1926-01-11) January 11, 1926 (age 86)
Place of Birth: Tillatoba, Mississippi

Career Information

Position(s): Linebacker
Tackle
Defensive Tackle
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight: 238 lb (108 kg)
College: Mississippi State
NFL Draft: 1950 / Round: 18 / Pick: 224

Organizations

As Administrator:
1973 St. Louis Cardinals (Personnel Scout)
As Coach:
1954–56
1957–61
1962–66
1967–69
1971–72
1974–75
1976
1977–79
1980
Greenwood High School (Head Coach)BC Lions (Defensive Coach)
BC Lions (Head Coach)
St. Louis Cardinals (Asst.)
New Orleans Saints (Defensive Coordinator)
St. Louis Cardinals (Defensive line coach)
New York Jets (Defensive Line Coach)
Atlanta Falcons (Defensive Line Coach)
Green Bay Packers (Defensive Line Coach)
  As Player:
1950–51 New York Yanks

Career Highlights and Awards

1 Time Grey Cup Champion (52nd)
Records 8–28–2 (CFL)
24–4–2 (High School)

1969 – 1970    Jackie Parker

John Dickerson “Jackie” Parker (c. 1932 – November 7, 2006) was an American football player who became an All-American in college football and an outstanding professional football player in the CFL at the running backquarterbackdefensive back, and kicker positions. He is primarily known for his play with the Edmonton Eskimos. Parker finished his playing career with the BC Lions in 1968 when, as an assistant coach, he helped the team out of a difficult mid-season situation by donning the pads for one last go round as quarterback.

After his playing days ended, Parker moved into coaching. Parker coached the BC Lions for part of the 1969 season and all of 1970, before moving on to the front office as general manager the next year. He stayed as general manager until 1975.

 HEAD COACH Parker, Jackie

Jackie Parker

Date of Birth: c. 1932
Place of Birth: Knoxville, Tennessee
Date of Death: November 7, 2006 (2006-11-07) (aged 74)
Place of Death: Edmonton, Alberta

Career Information

CFL status: Import
Position(s): QB/RB
DB/K
Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight: 190 lb (86 kg)
College Mississippi State
NFL Draft: 1953 / Round: 27 / Pick: 325
Drafted By: Detroit Lions
Hand: Right

Organizations

As Administrator:
As Coach:
  As Player:
19541962
19631965
19661968
Edmonton Eskimos
Toronto Argonauts
BC Lions

Career Highlights and Awards

Grey Cup Champion (195419551956)
Awards 1954 Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy
1956 Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy
1957 CFL MOP
1957 Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy
1958 CFL MOP
1958 Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy
1959 Dave Dryburgh Memorial Trophy
1959 Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy
1960 CFL MOP
1960 Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy
1961 Dave Dryburgh Memorial Trophy
1961 Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy
Honours: 1983 – Edmonton Eskimos Wall of Honour
Records Eskimos Record

  • Most Rushing Yards, Quarterback – Career (4,713)

Canadian Football Hall of Fame1971

College Football Hall of Fame

1970’s

1971 – 1975    Eagle Keys

Eagle Keys (born December 4, 1923) is a former Canadian football player and coach and is currently the fifth most winningest Head Coach in the Canadian Football League. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1990.  Keys  played professional football in the CFL and is best remembered as a player for his final game when he played on a broken leg in the Eskimos’ 1954 Grey Cup triumph. After his six years as a player he became a CFL team coach for a number of teams. He coached the British Columbia Lions from 1971 until partway through the 1975 season. In total, he spent 16 seasons as a head coach in the Canadian Football League.

HEAD COACH Keys, Eagle

Eagle Keys

Date of Birth: (1923-12-04) December 4, 1923 (age 88)
Place of Birth: Tompkinsville, Kentucky

Career Information

CFL status: Import
Position(s): C
Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight: 215 lb (98 kg)
College Western Kentucky

Organizations

As Coach:
19551958
19591963
1964
19651970
19711975
Edmonton Eskimos (A. coach)
Edmonton Eskimos (HC)
Saskatchewan Roughriders (OC)
Saskatchewan Roughriders (HC)
BC Lions (HC)
  As Player:
19491951
19521954
Montreal Alouettes
Edmonton Eskimos

Career Highlights and Awards

Grey Cup Champions (19491954195519561966)
CFL East All-Star: 194919501951
CFL West All-Star: 195119531954

Canadian Football Hall of Fame1990

1975 – 1976    Cal Murray

Cal Murphy (March 12, 1932 – February 18, 2012) was a CFL coach, general manager and scout, most notably for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. In his career as a coach and/or General Manager he lead various teams to nine Grey Cup Championship teams, earning a spot in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. In his retirement years he spent some time as a scout for the NFL. Coaching career.  Cal Murphy joined the CFL coaching ranks in 1974 with the BC Lions under Head Coach Eagle Keys, and became Head Coach after game six in the 1975 season. He continued to coach until the end of the 1976 season.  Murphy was awarded the Annis Stukus Trophy for Coach of the Year in 1983 and 1984 but is most recognized for coaching 9 winning Grey Cup teams.

HEAD COACH Murphy, Cal

Cal Murray

Date of Birth: (1932-03-12) March 12, 1932
Place of Birth: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Date of Death: February 18, 2012 (2012-02-18) (aged 79)
Place of Death: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Career Information

CFL status: Non-Import
Position(s): HB
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight: 180 lb (82 kg)
College British Columbia
High School
NFL Vancouver College

Organizations

As Administrator:
19831996 Winnipeg Blue Bombers (GM)
As Coach:
1974
19751976
1977
19781982
19831986
19931996
19971998
1999
2000
BC Lions (Assistant)
BC Lions (HC)
Montreal Alouettes (Assistant)
Edmonton Eskimos (Off. Coach)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (HC)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (HC)
Saskatchewan Roughriders (OC)
Saskatchewan Roughriders (HC)
Frankfurt Galaxy
  As Player:
1956 BC Lions

Career Highlights and Awards

Awards: Annis Stukus Trophy
19831984

Canadian Football Hall of Fame2004

1977 – 1982    Vic Rapp

Vic Rapp  Prior to serving as Head Coach to the BC Lions Rapp was offensive coordinator for the Edmonton, the Eskimos who appeared in four Grey Cups  –  winning in 1975. during his tenure.

In his first season as Lions coach, Rapp lead the Lions to a 10-6 record and was named the CFL Coach of the Year. The Lions made the playoffs three times under Rapp, but never advanced past the Western Final.

 HEAD COACH Rapp, Vic

Vic Rapp

Career Information

College: University of Missouri

Organizations

As Administrator:
1995 Philadelphia Eagles (Scout)
As Coach:
1967–71
19721976
19771982
1983
1984
1985–86
1987–88
1989–93
1996–2000
Missouri (Ends Coach)
Edmonton Eskimos (OC)
BC Lions (HC)
Houston Oilers (ST Coach)
Los Angeles Rams (WR Coach)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (RB Coach)
Detroit Lions (RB Coach)
Chicago Bears (WR Coach)
Arizona Cardinals (WR Coach)

Career Highlights and Awards

1 Time Grey Cup Champion (63rd)
Awards: Annis Stukus Trophy (1977)
Honours: BC Lions Wall of Fame (2010)
1980’s

1983 – 1987    Don Matthews

Don Matthews, a.k.a. “The Don”, (born June 22, 1939, Amesbury, Massachusetts) was a former head coach of several teams in the CFL and is the second winningest head coach in CFL history with 231 wins. Matthews was formerly head coach of the CFL’s BC LionsSaskatchewan RoughridersBaltimore StallionsToronto ArgonautsEdmonton Eskimos, and Montreal Alouettes.  He took the BC Lions to a Grey Cup victory in 1985 – the same year he was awarded Coach of the Year.  He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in September 2011.

HEAD COACH Matthews, Don

Don Matthews

Sports: Canadian Football

Current Position

Title: Head Coach

Biographic Details

Date of Birth: (1939-06-22) June 22, 1939 (age 73)
Place of Birth: Amesbury, Massachusetts, U.S.

Career Information

Position(s): Linebacker

Organizations

As Coach:
1964
1965
1966-1968
1969-1970
1971-1973
1974-1976
1977
1978–1982
1983–1987
1989
1990
1991
1991–1993
1994–1995
1996–1998
1999–2000
2002–2006
2008
Idaho (NCAA) – (GA)
Ely HS – (ass’t)
Ely HS
Ferris HS
Idaho (NCAA) – (OL/OC)
Sunset HS
Edmonton Eskimos – (LB)
Edmonton Eskimos – (DC)
BC Lions
Edmonton Eskimos – (DC)
Toronto Argonauts
Orlando Thunder – (WLAF)
Sask. Roughriders
Baltimore Stallions
Toronto Argonauts
Edmonton Eskimos
Montreal Alouettes
Toronto Argonauts
Coaching Record 231–132–1 (.636)
  As Player:
1960-63 Idaho

Career Highlights and Awards

Championships: Grey Cups (5): 73rd83rd84th85th90th
Awards:
Records: 2nd Winningest Coach in CFL History

1987 – 1989    Larry Donovan

Larry Donovan (born March 30, 1941) was a former head football coach for the Montana Grizzlies and BC Lions. After a number of coaching positions he became the defensive line coach for the BC Lions. On October 30, 1987, head coach Don Matthews was fired and Donovan was named interim head coach. The Lions went 4-0 after the coaching change and finished the season in first place in the CFL West Division. In his first full season as head coach, the Lions had a 10-8 record and made it to the Grey Cup, losing to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 22-21. The Lions struggled in 1989 and Donovan was fired after an 0-4 start.

HEAD COACH Donovan, Larry

1989                Joe Galat

Joe Galat was born in PainesvilleOhio and has extensive experience in professional football as a player, coach, general manager, broadcaster, and youth executive. Joe Galat also worked as a national color commentator for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).  Galat is most noted for compiling a quality football staff in Montreal. His staff went on to capture six Grey Cup Championships including Wally Buono who has 3 Grey Cup wins and is the winningest coach in CFL history. He joined the BC Lions as General Manager at the conclusion of the 1989 CFL season. With four straight losses to open the 1989 BC Lions season, Galat fired head coach Larry Donovan and named himself interim coach for the final fourteen games and the Lions narrowly missed the postseason.

HEAD COACH Galat, Joe

1990’s

1990                Lary Kuharich

Joseph Lawrence (Lary) Kuharich, Jr. (born December 20, 1945) is an American football coach who also coached in the CFL.  In 1990, he became the head coach of the BC Lions. Both he and GM Joe Kapp worked to acquire big name players, including Doug FlutieMajor Harris, and Mark Gastineau.

HEAD COACH Kuharich, Lary

1990                Jim Young

James Norman “Dirty Thirty” Young (born June 6, 1943 in Hamilton, Ontario)[1] is a former professional American football and Canadian football player.  Known for his exceptional playing career, Young was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame 1991, BC Sports Hall of Fame 1994 and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame 2002. In November, 2006, Young was voted to the Honour Roll of the CFL’s top 50 players of the league’s modern era by Canadian sports network TSN. In 2011 he was an inaugural inductee in the BC Football Hall of Fame.  Young joined the BC Lions team management after his retirement, and briefly coached the Lions on an interim basis during the 1990 CFL season.

HEAD COACH Young, Jim

Jim Young

Date of Birth: (1943-06-06) June 6, 1943 (age 69)
Place of Birth: Hamilton, Ontario

Career Information

Status: Retired
CFL status: Non-Import
Position(s): RB/WR
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight: 215 lb (98 kg)
College Queen’s
CFL Draft: 1965 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1
Drafted By: Toronto Argonauts
NFL Draft: 1965 / Round:

Organizations

As Coach:
1990 BC Lions
  As Player:
1965-1966
1967-1979
Minnesota Vikings
BC Lions

Career Highlights and Awards

CFL All-Star: 1972
CFL West All-Star: 1969, 1972
Awards Most Outstanding Canadian (19701972)
Honours:
Retired #s: 30 (BC Lions)

Playing Stats at DatabaseFootball.com

Canadian Football Hall of Fame1991

1990 – 1992    Bob O’Billovich

Robert “Bob” O’Billovich, nicknamed “Obie“, (b. June 30, 1940, Butte, Montana) who was formerly a NCAA college basketball player has been involved with the CFL since 1963 in the roles of player, coach, general manager, scout, and several front-office positions. O’Billovich began his CFL career as a player in 1963 with the Ottawa Rough Riders and in 1974 launched his CFL coaching career.  He joined the BC Lions in midseason on September 14, 1990 and he  remained as head coach of the Lions through the end of the 1992 season.  O’Billovich returned to the club and was director of player personnel with the BC Lions from 2003 to 2007. During his coaching career he was honoured as CFL Coach of the Year in 1982 and 1987.

HEAD COACH O'Billovich, Bob

Bob O’Billovich

Date of Birth: (1940-06-30) June 30, 1940 (age 72)
Place of Birth: Butte, Montana

Career Information

Position(s): Quarterback
Defensive Back
College Montana

Organizations

As Administrator:
1990–1992
1994–1995
2008-Present
BC Lions (GM)
Toronto Argonauts (GM)
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (GM)
As Coach:
1982–1989
1990–1992
1993–1994
1995
Toronto Argonauts
BC Lions
Toronto Argonauts
Toronto Argonauts
  As Player:
1963–1967 Ottawa Rough Riders

Career Highlights and Awards

Grey Cup Champion (1983)
CFL East All-Star: 1965

1993 – 1995    Dave Ritchie

Dave Ritchie (born in New Bedford, Massachusetts) is a former coach in the CFL. He was head coach of the BC Lions when they won the 1994 Grey Cup against the Baltimore Football Club. He is best known for his days as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Head Coach from 1999 to 2004. He retired following the end of the 2007 CFL season.

HEAD COACH Ritchie, Dave

Dave Ritchie

Organizations

Date of Birth: circa. 1938[1]
Place of Birth: New Bedford, Massachusetts[1]

Career Information

Status: Retired
Position(s): HC
As Coach:
19931995
19971998
19992004
BC Lions
Montreal Alouettes
Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Career Highlights and Awards

Awards: Coach of the Year in 2001.
Records: >CFL’s Seventh All-Time Winningest Coach (108 Wins)

1996                Joe Paopao

Joe Paopao (b. June 30, 1955 in HonoluluHawaii) is a former professional CFL quarterback and coach.As a player, he played for 11 seasons for the BC LionsSaskatchewan Roughriders and the Ottawa Rough Riders. He was a long-time coach in the CFL and in 1991, Paopao was made the quarterback coach of the Lions. In 1992 he was made their offensive co-ordinator where he remained until becoming the offensive co-ordinator of the Edmonton Eskimos in 1994. In 1996 Paopao became head coach of the Lions for a period and then returned to the Lions in 1999 as assistant head coach.

HEAD COACH Paopao, Joe

Joe Paopao

Date of Birth: (1955-06-30) June 30, 1955 (age 57)
Place of Birth: HonoluluHawaii

Career Information

Position(s): HC
Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight: 200 lb (91 kg)

Organizations

As Coach:
1989
1991
19921993
19941995
1996
19971998
19992000
2001
20022005
2006
20072011
2012–Present
BC Lions (OBC)
BC Lions (QC)
BC Lions (OC)
Edmonton Eskimos (OC)
BC Lions (HC)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (OC)
BC Lions (OC)
San Francisco Demons (OC)
Ottawa Renegades (HC)
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (OC)
Waterloo Warriors (OC)
Waterloo Warriors (HC)
  As Player:
19781983
19841986
1987
1990
BC Lions
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Ottawa Rough Riders
BC Lions

 

Adam Rita 1997-2002

Adam Rita

Date of Birth: Septmember 21, 1947
Place of Birth:  

Career Information

presently a CFL executive who has served as the head coach of Toronto Argonauts, Ottawa Rough Riders, and BC Lions and as general manager of the Lions and Argonauts. Rita first began his CFL coaching career in 1983 as the offensive co-ordinator for the B.C. Lions. Rita moved to the position of General Manager mid-season in 1998.

 

 

 HEAD COACH Mohns, GregGreg Mohns
Date of Birth: May 1, 1950
Place of Birth: Pasadena, California

Career Information

a football executive, player  and coach.  In 1998, Mohns joined the B.C. Lions as an assistant to team President Glen Ringdal. When his friend Adam Rita made the move to General Manager, Mohns became the Lions’ Head Coach. Mohns’ Lions went a 22-12 in his 34 games as head coach, giving him the second highest winning percentage in Lions history at the time.

 

 

2000’s

2000 – 2002    Steve Buratto

Steve Buratto (born c. 1943) was a player and is a football coach in the CFL, currently the offensive line coach for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.  In 1983, he became the Defensive Coordinator for the B.C. Lions, where his team lost to the Argonauts in the Grey Cup final. In 1986 he returned to B.C. as their Co-Offensive Coordinator/Defensive Coordinator. In 2000 he became receivers coach for the Lions, however only held the job for a few weeks as he was promoted to head coach after head coach Greg Mohns resigned to join the XFL. Over the team’s final 12 games he led the Lions to a record, good enough for a spot in the playoffs and in the 88th Grey Cup, the Lions faced the  Alouettes. Despite being an underdog, the Lions held the lead throughout the game and won 28–26. The Lions, who finished with an 8–10 record during the regular season, became the first team ever to finish with a regular season record below .500 and win the Grey Cup. Buratto was retained by the Lions for the 2001 season and in 2002 he was replaced by General Manager Adam Rita. Buratto became the Lions’ Offensive Coordinator in 2003 and in 2004, helped guide his team to the Grey Cup.

HEAD COACH Buratto, Steve

Steve Buratto

Sports: Canadian Football

Current Position

Title: Coach

Biographic Details

Born c. 1943

Playing Career

1963–65 Idaho
Position(s): Center

2002                Adam Rita

From 1988 until 2002, no Lions head coach term lasted as long as four complete seasons. During this time, the Lions won the Grey Cup championship twice: under head coach Dave Ritchie in 1994 and under Steve Buratto in 2000.  Adam Rita is the only head coach to have had multiple tenures with the Lions

2003 – 2011    Wally Buono

Pasquale “Wally” Buono[1][2] (born February 7, 1950) is an Italian general manager, vice president of football operations and alternate governor of the BC Lions of the CFL and one of the most successful head coaches in league history. He spent 22 years as head coach of the Calgary Stampeders and the BC Lions, which is tied for the most seasons coached all-time. On September 19, 2009, Buono became the CFL’s all-time winningest coach when his Lions beat the Argonauts, giving him 232 regular season victories, passing Don Matthews. He retired with a CFL record 254 regular season wins as head coach, five Grey Cup victories and four Annis Stukus Coach of the Year awards. Buono is often credited with developing some of the best CFL quarterbacks of his era, such as Doug FlutieJeff GarciaDave Dickenson and Travis Lulay. He is known as one of the best offensive minds in league history.

HEAD COACH Buono, Wally

Wally Buono

Date of Birth: (1950-02-07) February 7, 1950 (age 62)
Place of Birth: PotenzaItaly

Career Information

Position(s): General manager
College Idaho State University

Organizations

As Administrator:
19922002
2003–Present
Calgary Stampeders (GM)
BC Lions (GM)
As Coach:
1983
19871989
19902002
20032011
Montreal Concordes (AC)
Calgary Stampeders (AC)
Calgary Stampeders (HC)
BC Lions (HC)
  As Player:
19731982 Montreal Alouettes

Career Highlights and Awards

Awards: Annis Stukus Trophy (1992, 1993, 2006, 2011)
Honours: 7 Time Grey Cup Champion – (1974197719921998200120062011)
Records: Most Regular Season Wins by a Head Coach (254), Most First Place Finishes by a Head Coach (13), Most Grey Cup Wins by a Head Coach (5)