LIONS FIRE CLAYBROOKS
VANCOUVER – The B.C. Lions fired head coach DeVone Claybrooks on Wednesday, a few days after the team completed a disappointing 5-13 season with a 21-16 loss to Calgary.
The Lions missed the CFL playoffs and finished last in the West Division standings. There was no immediate word on a replacement.
“This has been a challenging season,” general manager Ed Hervey said in a news release. “We did not meet the expectations we set for ourselves in 2019 and more importantly, we did not meet the expectations of our season ticket-holders, fans and partners.”
Hervey and team president Rick LeLacheur were scheduled to hold a media availability later Wednesday at the team’s practice facility in Surrey, B.C.
“We thank DeVone for his time and dedication while also wishing him the very best in the future,” Hervey said. “This decision was difficult, but we will continue to do everything possible to reach and exceed the standards we have committed to within our organization.”
The Lions struggled from the start of Claybrooks’ rookie season as coach, posting just one win in their first 11 games. B.C. did not beat a team from the West Division all season.
When the players cleaned out their lockers on Monday, Claybrooks said he was not concerned about his future.
“I just do my job and until someone tells me I don’t have one, I’ll keep doing it.” he said.
“I’m not happy with the results obviously because it’s a results-based business,” Claybrooks added. “But I’m happy with the foundation that we’ve laid, to know that we trust and feel and believe that we’re going to get the results.”
The Lions hired Claybrooks last December, ending his seven-year run on Calgary’s coaching staff. He spent three seasons as the Stampeders’ defensive co-ordinator and went out on top as the team won the Grey Cup last fall.
Claybrooks replaced Wally Buono, who retired at the end of the 2018 season after 46 years in the CFL.
A 42-year-old native of Martinsville, Va., Claybrooks spent 11 years playing defensive tackle in the NFL, CFL and in Europe.
(Canadian Press/PHOTO: The Rod Pedersen Show)
February sure was along time ago for the B.C. Lions.
Rick Campbell will be there before the end of the week!
Not likely. Campbell was overlooked by both Winnipeg & Hervey in 2014 when he landed in Ottawa. Sunderland is a much better fit for Campbell than Hervey. I see Maas heading to BC after he gets let go by the Eskimos (barring the slim chance he takes the team to the Grey Cup game). My guess there are 5 coaching changes this year. Ottawa & BC will be followed by new coaches in Edmonton, Toronto & Winnipeg. Mark it down.
Recall when a coach named Tom Landry was losing for three years in Dallas. Media and fans wanted to see him gone. The owner responded giving him a 10 year contract and the rest is history … they became ‘America’s Team’. Consistency is (often) key to ongoing success. Look at the Stamps. Firing coaches can be a huge mistake but often can benefit the successor. It will happen in BC. They were coming on. That game against Calgary was ‘huge’ for the Stamps and yet BC almost pulled it out at the end. They will be strong next year.