CFL B.C. Lions

Lions Announce Richard Harris as Defensive Line Coach

Published on February 3, 2003 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
B.C. Lions News Release


VANCOUVER, B.C. Monday, February 3rd, 2003-- BC Lions General Manager and Head Coach, Wally Buono, today announced Richard Harris been named the team's Defensive Line Coach.

"Richard has done a good job here with the defence," said Buono. "He understands the fundamentals of the game and gets the most out of his players."

Richard Harris is entering his second season as the defensive line coach with the BC Lions. Prior to arriving in Vancouver, Harris was the head coach of the Indoor Professional Football League's Portland Prowlers. In 2000, the Prowlers finished 13-4 and lost in the title game; Harris was named the IPFL's Coach of the Year for his contributions.

Harris has won three semi-pro national titles as a head coach in the Northwest Football League. His first NWFL coaching experience came back in 1984, with the Eastside Express. After going 14-0 in the regular-season, Harris led the Express to the 1989 NWFL National Championship. He returned to the Northwest League in 1991, when he took on the head coaching duties with the Puget Sound Jets. Harris spent six years with the Jets between 1991-96, and led them to consecutive national titles in 1994 and 1995. During those two seasons the Jets had an overall record of 18-1.

An eight-year NFL veteran, Harris was selected in the first round (5th overall) in the 1971 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. A towering defensive lineman, Harris spent three years with the Eagles, before spending two seasons with the Chicago Bears. He was traded to the Seattle Seahawks in 1976, and played his final three seasons for Seattle before announcing his retirement as a player in 1979. The 55-year old Harris is a graduate of Grambling University. His first coaching job was as an assistant coach at Roosevelt High School in Seattle for two seasons in 1979-80.

Harris has two daughters, Chianti and Kimberly, and a grandson Chandler.

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