CFL B.C. Lions

Lions officially announce coaching staff for 2008 season

Published on January 31, 2008 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
B.C. Lions News Release


(Vancouver) BC Lions GM and head coach Wally Buono announced the club's coaching staff for 2008 today, with changes to the 2007 lineup including the departure of defensive coordinator Dave Ritchie, receivers coach Jamie Barresi, the promotion of former special teams coordinator & linebackers coach Mike Benevides to defensive coordinator, the return of Jacques Chapdelaine (receivers coach) and the additions of Chuck McMann (special teams coordinator & running backs coach) and former Lions DB Mark Washington (defensive backs coach).

"I believe we have assembled a talented and dynamic group of coaches", said Wally Buono. "Each one brings a unique skill set to our club and our players will benefit from that in 2008."

Buono enters his sixth season with the Leos after leading the team to a franchise-high 14 wins in 2007 while pushing his Lions career win total to 63 in the process. Since joining the Black and Orange in 2003, Buono has spearheaded the Lions to four consecutive first-place regular season finishes in the West Division ('04, '05, '06, '07), established a new club record for career wins as Lions head coach with his 57th in 2007 and led the club to a Grey Cup championship in 2006.

On defence, Mike Benevides, a 20-year coaching veteran, enters his ninth season in the CFL - sixth with the Lions - and first as the club's defensive coordinator after spending five seasons as the Lions' special teams coordinator and linebacker coach. Last season, Lions special teams again ranked among the best in the CFL, leading the league in blocked kicks with five, including the season's only blocked field goal. Under Benevides' direction, Lions returner Ian Smart earned CFL Outstanding Special Teams Player honours as well as West Division CFL All-Star status and topped the league statistics in the combined yardage, punt return and kickoff return categories.

Mike Roach returns for his third season coaching the Lions' defensive line. Led by Outstanding Defensive Player and Outstanding Rookie Cam Wake along with West Division All-Stars Tyrone Williams and Aaron Hunt, Mike's D-line was a key ingredient in the team's stingy defense. As a unit, the Fearsome Foursome of Wake, Williams, Hunt and Brent Johnson rang-up 45 of the club's league-leading 61 quarterback sacks.

Five-year Lions veteran defensive back Mark Washington moves from the roster to the coaching ranks in 2008, retiring as a player and stepping into his new role as the club's defensive backs coach. Over 11 seasons spent with two CFL teams (Montreal, BC), Washington appeared in 147 regular season games and enjoyed two Grey Cup victories, including the Lions' 2006 championship. A leader on and off the field, Mark received the CFLPA's Tom Pate Award in 2006 for outstanding sportsmanship in addition to significant contributions to his team and community.

On offence, Dan Dorazio enters his 36th year of coaching and his eleventh CFL campaign - sixth with the Lions and second as offensive coordinator. In 2007, anchored by returning veterans Rob Murphy, Angus Reid, Kelly Bates, Jason Jimenez and Sherko Haji-Rasouli, Dorazio's O-line surrendered the second-fewest sacks in the CFL while opening up rushing lanes for running back phenomenon Joe Smith - paving the way for Smith's new Lions single season rushing record of 1510 yards. Dan also played an integral role in left tackle Rob Murphy's recognition as the CFL's Outstanding Lineman for the second consecutive season.

Entering his third season with the Lions as the club's quarterbacks coach, Steff Kruck's extensive work with Jarious Jackson last year allowed the club to continue its winning ways while fighting through injuries at the pivotal position. Jackson's development under Kruck's direction spurred the third-year Lion to a breakout campaign in 2007 leading the club to a 9-2 record after stepping in as the starter at the midway mark of the regular season.

Jacques Chapdelaine begins his second stint with the club in 2008 after departing for the Edmonton Eskimos following the Lions' 2006 championship season. Chapdelaine initially joined the club in 2003 as receivers coach before being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2005, leading the Lions' offence for two seasons culminating in the club's fifth Grey Cup win.

Chuck McMann joins the Lions in 2008 for his first season as the club's special teams coordinator and running backs coach after spending the 2007 season with the Calgary Stampeders as receivers coach. Over 12 seasons spent as a CFL coach, McMann has had the opportunity to coach in four Grey Cup games, capturing championship titles in 1992 and 1998 during his first stint with the Stamps. A former head coach of the McGill Redmen (2001-2006), the McMann-led squad would post a 29-28 record, make five post-season appearances and capture two consecutive Dunsmore Cups (2001, 2002). McMann was recognized for his efforts in with the Frank Tindall trophy as the 2002 CIS Football Coach of the Year.

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