The BC Lions have fired head coach and co-general manager Rick Campbell after failing to make the playoffs this season.
TSN reporter Farhan Lalji expects Campbell, who had one year remaining on his contract with the Lions, will now be a leading candidate for the Edmonton Elks head coaching vacancy.
The Lions promoted Ryan Rigmaiden to general manager and Neil McEvoy to vice president of football operations on Wednesday.
“We thank Rick Campbell for playing a major role in returning our franchise to respectability, while navigating us through some very difficult waters upon his arrival. He’s a great coach and a great friend,” said president Duane Vienneau.
“We are proud to welcome Neil and Ryan to their new roles, as preparations for 2025 are already underway. Our goal remains the same: to be in contention for the Gray Cup every year. »
Campbell, 53, served as head coach and co-general manager of the Lions. He was named head coach in 2019 after spending five years with the Ottawa Redblacks.
Campbell has overseen the franchise’s turnaround from five wins in its first season in 2021 to making the playoffs in 2022, 2023 and this season. However, the Lions went just 2-3 in the playoffs under Campbell’s leadership, losing in this year’s Western Semifinals to the Saskatchewan Roughriders after back-to-back final appearances. from the West.
The Lions finished the season with a 9-9 record, alternating between Vernon Adams Jr. and Nathan Rourke, who returned during the season, at starting quarterback.
During his time in Ottawa, Campbell led the expansion franchise to the Gray Cup three times in his first five seasons, winning the 104th Gray Cup in 2016.
Canada
