CFL Notebook: Heads Roll In Calgary, Morris Returns To Elks, All Stars Named

Longtime assistant coaches Mark Kilam and Brent Monson won’t be back with the Calgary Stampeders. 

The CFL club announced Wednesday that Kilam, the special-teams co-ordinator and assistant head coach, and Monson, the defensive co-ordinator, along with defensive-line coach Juwan Simpson, will not be retained for the 2025 season.  

Calgary (5-12-1) finished fifth in the West Division this season, missing the CFL playoffs for the first time since 2004. 

“As an organization, we felt some changes were needed as part of the process of rebuilding a winning team,’ GM/head coach Dave Dickenson said in a statement. “We thank these coaches for their contributions to the organization and wish them the best.” 

Kilam and Monson had been with the Stampeders for 20 and 15 years, respectively, while Simpson, a former Stampeders player, was on the coaching staff for two years.  

“Mark was a loyal soldier and an integral part of our Grey Cup-winning seasons,” said Dickenson. “No one worked harder than Brent and he gave us everything he had. 

“Simp’s connection with the Stampeders goes back to 2008 and we appreciate everything he did for our organization as a player and as a coach.” 

The team added further announcements regarding its football operations staff will be made at a later date. 

EDMONTON – Chris Morris has been named the new president and chief executive of the Edmonton Elks, the CFL club announced Wednesday.

Morris was an offensive lineman with Edmonton from 1992 to 2005 and won Grey Cup titles with the club in 1993, 2003 and 2005.

He spent the last 12 years as head coach of the University of Alberta’s U Sports football team.

“This is a dream opportunity for me,” Morris, the 2023 U Sports coach of the year, said in a release. “As a proud EE Alum and passionate supporter of football in Northern Alberta, I know how much this club means to the community and I look forward to continuing our tradition of giving back and winning football games.”

Morris takes over from Rick LeLacheur, who was brought out of retirement to take on the role of president and CEO on an interim basis after the departure of Victor Cui in August 2023. The team said LeLacheur will remain with the team as an adviser to owner Larry Thompson and will continue as the club’s alternate governor.

Morris’s first duties will include deciding the futures of general manager Geroy Simon and head coach Jarious Jackson.

Simon and Jackson took over the team on an interim basis when the Elks fired former head coach and GM Chris Jones after an 0-5 start. The team had a winning record (7-6) after the change.

The team said Morris will be introduced in his new role in a press conference Thursday. Originally from Toronto, Morris was a two-time All-Canadian while playing for the University of Toronto Varsity Blues.

Thompson called Morris a “winner and a leader” during his time playing for Edmonton, which took him eighth overall in the 1992 CFL draft.

“As a teacher, principal, and most recently coach of the Golden Bears, Chris has strived for excellence and commanded respect,” Thompson said in a statement.

“His connection to our past, leadership attributes, and understanding of what it takes to win made him the right choice to lead us into 2025 and beyond.”

The Toronto Argonauts and Saskatchewan Roughriders each had nine players named to the East and West Division all-star squads, respectively, Wednesday.

Voting was conducted by the Football Reporters of Canada and nine CFL head coaches.

Running back Ka’Deem Carey (1,060 yards) topped the list of Argos placed on the East Division team. Also named were receiver Makai Polk, offensive linemen Ryan Hunter and Dejon Allen, defensive lineman Jake Ceresna, defensive halfback DaShaun Amos, kicker Lirim Hajrullahu, punter John Haggerty and returner Janarion Grant.

The Montreal Alouettes had six players named to the squad — offensive lineman Nick Callender, defensive lineman Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund, linebackers Tyrice Beverette and Darnell Sankey, cornerback Kabion Ento and safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy.

Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, the CFL passing leader with 5,451 yards, was among six Hamilton Tiger-Cats on the team. The others were centre David Beard, receivers Tim White, Shemar Bridges and Steven Dunbar Jr. and cornerback Jamal Peters.

The Ottawa Redblacks also had six players named. Receiver Justin Hardy (league-high 97 catches) led the way, with offensive lineman Drew Desjarlais, defensive linemen Lorenzo Mauldin IV and Michael Wakefield, linebacker Adarius Pickett and halfback Damon Webb also getting the nod.

Rolan Milligan Jr. led the way for Saskatchewan, being named to the West squad as both a defensive back and special-teams player. Other Riders selected were quarterback Trevor Harris, receiver Samuel Emilus, offensive lineman Logan Ferland, defensive lineman Micah Johnson, defensive back Marcus Sayles and linebackers Jameer Thurman and C.J. Reavis.

CFL rushing leader Brady Oliveira (1,353 yards) was among seven Winnipeg Blue Bombers named. The others were offensive linemen Stanley Bryant and Liam Dobson, receiver Nic Demski, defensive lineman Willie Jefferson, cornerback Tyrell Ford and halfback Deatrick Nichols.

Receiver Eugene Lewis was among seven Edmonton Elks voted in. The others were offensive linemen Mark Korte and Martez Ivory, punter Jake Julien, defensive lineman Elliott Brown, linebacker Nick Anderson and safety Loucheiz Purifoy.

Receiver Justin McInnis (CFL-high 1,469 yards) and kicker Sean Whyte were the B.C. Lions’ lone two representatives while receiver Reggie Begelton and defensive lineman Mike Rose of the Calgary Stampeders also earned spots.

(Canadian Press)