
Lions Mourn Loss of 1994 Grey Cup Champion Head Coach Dave Ritchie
Published on March 9, 2024 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
B.C. Lions News Release
(Vancouver) - The BC Lions are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of head coach, Grey Cup champion and Canadian Football Hall of Fame member Dave Ritchie.
Said Lions co-general manager and director of football operations Neil McEvoy:
"Coach Ritchie was a champion at heart who represented the BC Lions with the utmost class and professionalism. Anyone who had the good fortune to work with him was better for it. He will be dearly missed by everyone across the Canadian Football League."
Ritchie served as Lions head coach from 1993-95 and would engineer one of the greatest turnarounds in CFL history, inheriting a squad that finished 3-15 in the year prior to his arrival and moulding them into Grey Cup champions in the unforgettable 1994 season. Ritchie's 31 victories are good for sixth all-time among Lion head coaches.
Following head coaching stints in Montreal (1997-98) and Winnipeg (1999-04), Ritchie returned to the Lions as defensive coordinator from 2005-07, earning a second Grey Cup ring with the organization in 2006. Ritchie was inducted to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame as part of the 2022 class while his 1994 Grey Cup champions are enshrined on the BC Lions Wall of Fame.
Canadian Football League Stories from March 9, 2024
- Montreal Alouettes Mourn the Passing of Former Head Coach Dave Ritchie - Montreal Alouettes
- Lions Mourn Loss of 1994 Grey Cup Champion Head Coach Dave Ritchie - B.C. Lions
- Blue Bombers Mourn the Passing of Former Head Coach Dave Ritchie - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent B.C. Lions Stories
- Lions Sign Former Cleveland Brown Demetric Felton, Add Fellow American WR Bryan Thompson
- Lions Bring Back Veteran Wide Receiver Hergy Mayala
- Lions Add Six More Americans to the Roster
- Lions Bring Back 2023 Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Dejon Allen
- James Butler Remains with Lions Through 2027 Season

