One year ago, the BC Lions hired former Calgary Stampeders defensive coordinator DeVone Claybrooks as its 26th head coach. Now, the search for the 27th has already started. After a disappointing 5-13 season in 2019, Claybrooks was fired, and now owner David Braley, CEO Rick LeLacheur, and general manager Ed Hervey have the task to find the successor.
Because of that, Vancouver Sports Wire lists seven head coaching possible candidates.
Paul LaPolice (Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive coordinator)
LaPolice, 49 years old, has a large CFL experience. This season, as the Blue Bombers offensive coordinator, he guided the best offence in football and to a Grey Cup championship. The New Hampshire native also has head coaching experiente – he occupied the position in Winnipeg from 2010 to 2012. As offensive coordinator, he found his groove again after four years away from the league. LaPolice presence would be important to improve Mike Reilly’s play – the quarterback signed a four-year contract last offseason.
Tommy Condell (Hamilton Tiger-Cats offensive coordinator)
Condell spent the last season as Tiger-Cats offensive coordinator. He was promoted four months after being hired as wide receivers coach and guided the Hamilton offence to a high level of play on the last part of the season. The team scored 36 points in the Divisional Finals against the Edmonton Eskimos, but struggled in the Grey Cup Finals, scoring only 12 points in the losing effort. Condell also has experience as offensive coordinator for the Toronto Argonauts for two seasons.
Rick Campbell (former Ottawa Redblacks head coach)
Campbell agreed to part ways with the Ottawa Redblacks after six seasons as the team’s head coach. During the period, the team won a Grey Cup championship, in 2016, but had the league worst record last season, with only three wins. They also had the worst scoring offence and defence. Rick Campbell has experience in all phases of the game, because he already spent time as defensive coordinator, special teams coordinator, defensive backs coach and running backs coach.
Joe Philbin (former Miami Dolphins head coach)
Philbin has never worked in Canada, but he is an experienced coach in the NFL. He spent nine years on his first stint with the Green Bay Packers, serving as assistant offensive line coach, tight ends coach, offensive line coach and offensive coordinator. He was the Miami Dolphins head coach between 2012 and 2015. After two years with the Indianapolis Colts, he came back to the Packers in 2018 to be the offensive coordinator, and ended up being the interim head coach after Mike McCarthy’s firing. As a coordinator, he helped the Packers to win the only Super Bowl in Aaron Rodgers’ era.
Jason Shivers (Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive coordinator)
If the Lions prefer keep going with a defensive-minded head coach, Shivers may be a good option. Former NFL and CFL defensive back, he started his coaching career with the Toronto Argonauts, as defensive assistant in 2013. He was the Edmonton Eskimos DBs coach for two years before being hired as Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive coordinator four years ago. This season, the Riders had the second best scoring defence of the regular season. The team lost to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Divisional Finals allowing 20 points.
Mark Washington (Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive coordinator)
Mark Washington guided the best scoring defence in 2019 with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats after spending the last 15 years of his life with the BC Lions organization. Between 2003 and 2007, Washington was on the field, playing as defensive back. Right after retiring, he was hired as defensive backs coach, a position he held between 2008 and 2013. From 2014 to 2018, he served as Lions’ defensive coordinator. With the Tiger-Cats, he worked as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach, leading the team to be the most prolific defence – allowing only 344 points in 18 games.
Greg Marshall (Western Ontario head coach)
The former Edmonton Eskimos running back has a large coaching experience. Since 2007, he serves as head coach and offensive coordinator for the Western Ontario University – this season, the team is undefeated and is at the top of Ontario University Athletics. The coach has three Vanier Cup championships (1989, 1994, and 2017). Marshall also has CFL head coaching experience – he was the Hamilton Tiger-Cats HC between 2004 and 2006.
Vancouver Sports Wire 