Cortez named Stampeders Offensive Coordinator
Published on December 6, 2006 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Calgary Stampeders News Release
(Calgary) - Today, the Calgary Stampeder Football Club announced that George Cortez was named Offensive Coordinator with the team. This signing reunites Cortez with the Red and White, where he has coached previously for 8 seasons acting as the team's offensive line coach and most recently served as the team's offensive coordinator from 1998-2001. Cortez was instrumental in helping the Stampeders secure the Grey Cup in 1998 & 2001.
"It is exciting that one of the top offensive minds in the game has joined our organization," stated General Manager, Jim Barker. "We look forward to years of success with George running our offense."
Cortez joins the Stamps following a brief stint as the offensive line coach with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2006. Prior to the 2006 season he had coached with California Berkely for 4 seasons as the team's offensive coordinator.
"I have had the opportunity to coach with George for two seasons with the Stampeders previously and have enjoyed watching his successes both in the CFL and NCAA and am excited to have him on staff with us," said Senior Vice-President of Football Operations/Head Coach, Tom Higgins.
Below is a closer look at George Cortez:
George Cortez
Offensive Coordinator
CFL: Entering 16th Season Stampeders: Entering 9th Season
Cortez has spent 15 seasons in the CFL - eight with Calgary, two in Ottawa, four with Montreal and this past season with Saskatchewan. Most recently he spent his time working as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the University of California Golden Bears since leaving Calgary after the 2001 season.
Cortez worked for the Montreal Alouettes/Concordes from 1983-86 and with the Ottawa Rough Riders from 1990-91 before joining the Stampeders. During eight seasons in Calgary, he designed successful offences and is credited with developing quarterbacks Jeff Garcia, Dave Dickenson and Henry Burris. In 2001, the Stampeders led the league in eight offensive categories, including scoring (25.4 ppg), and Calgary running back Kelvin Anderson gained 1,383 yards to lead the circuit's No. 1 rushing offense. A year earlier, Cortez produced the CFL's 2000 Most Outstanding Player in quarterback Dave Dickenson, who guided an offense that ranked first or second in seven league offensive categories. Despite playing three different quarterbacks due to injuries, Cortez helped steer Calgary to its first Western Division crown of the decade in 1999, a season in which the Stampeders topped the CFL in seven offensive categories. And in Cortez's first year as Calgary's offensive coordinator, the 1998 Stampeders claimed the Grey Cup as the Garcia-led offense paced the CFL in 10 statistical departments.
Heading into this season Cortez brings forth a total of 30 years of professional and college coaching experience as well as an additional five years at the high school level. He began his coaching career at C.E. King High School in 1973. That same year Cortez graduated from Texas A & M with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education.
George and his wife Connie, a teacher, are the proud parents of their two dogs Zoe and Lexie.
Canadian Football League Stories from December 6, 2006
- Kent Austin named Riders head coach - Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Cortez named Stampeders Offensive Coordinator - Calgary Stampeders
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- Leos sign UBC running back Chris Ciezki - B.C. Lions
- Lions ink Phillips and Johnson - B.C. Lions
- Marcel Bellefeuille named offensive coordinator - Montreal Alouettes
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