BATES TO GUIDE SFU
Longtime CFL player and assistant coach Kelly Bates confirmed to 620 CKRM Tuesday evening that he’s been hired as the new head coach of the Simon Fraser University Football Program.
According to the Vancouver Province, Bates will be introduced at a news conference on Thursday. The Province also reports Bates beat out current B.C. Lions assistant coach Khari Jones for the job.
Bates, a product of Humboldt, SK, will succeed Jacques Chapdelaine as SFU coach. Chapdelaine spent one season with the Clan before jumping to the Saskatchewan Roughriders as offensive coordinator.
Bates spent 10 seasons in the CFL as an offensive lineman with B.C., Winnipeg, Saskatchewan and Edmonton. Upon his retirement as a player, Bates spent four seasons as an assistant coach with the Lions as well as being the club’s Canadian Draft Coordinator. Kelly is a two-time Grey Cup champion as well as a Vanier Cup champ. He was a CFL All-Canadian in 2007.
Congratulations Kelly!
Incidentally registration for Bates’ longtime football camp in Humboldt opens next Tuesday. Information and registration forms are available at www.kellybates.ca.
