Updated Dec 2: BC Lions news! Rick Campbell is coach! Fan pics,vids!

[Myk Aussie]

My twitter comment today just after the news below broke!
"#CFL new @BCLions head coach could be/hope it is Dave Dickenson! @jasongregor  #Edmonton radio just said these rumors starting!" @MykAussie

I do hope BC Lions get Dave from Calgary!

From Wally Buono of BC Lions.

Today, we made the very difficult decision to relieve Mike Benevides of his duties as Head Coach of the BC Lions.

Our football team experienced a very tumultuous season in 2014. Still, we believe as an organization that the team was capable of more than what we accomplished in the regular season and in the playoffs. In short, we underperformed and failed to meet both our own expectations and the expectations of our fans.

Mike is a very good coach as well as an outstanding husband and father. His commitment and loyalty to our organization was endless and we wish him the very best in the future.

Success in football is measured each week however, and we cannot lose sight of the fact that we owe our fans, sponsors and partners nothing but the highest quality product on the field.

The 2014 football season ended for our club on the afternoon of Sunday, November 16th and our work to win a championship has begun.   

On behalf of our owner David Braley, our President & CEO Dennis Skulsky, and the entire BC Lions organization, I thank you for your continued support of our organization and I look forward to our success in 2015.

Best Regards,

Wally Buono
General Manager and VP of Football Operations
BC Lions Football Club

[Myk Aussie]

From Wally Buono on Dec 19. "It gives me great pleasure and pride to announce Jeff Tedford as our new head coach of the BC Lions. It is an exciting day for our organization as we hand the coaching reins to an incredibly accomplished football coach, terrific person and a bright, innovative mind.

I had the tremendous opportunity to work with Coach Tedford in Calgary from 1989-91 after he played six seasons at quarterback in the CFL. It was in that short time that he made a lasting impression as an offensive coach. He was crucial in inventing the six-receiver set offenses that became synonymous with the fast-paced, wide-open passing game that the CFL had become known for, and the NFL and NCAA have adopted since. And it is that type of creativity and aggressiveness that I look forward to seeing as the style of play for our Lions under his tutelage.

He went on to build programs in the NCAA, most-notably as head coach at the University of California-Berkley for 11 seasons, compiling the most victories in school history. Through his college and NFL coaching, he has worked with and made stars of some of the biggest players that have played the game, including Aaron Rodgers and Marshawn Lynch. A very sought-after and talented coach, I’m pleased to have him join us as we build our team towards winning the 2015 Grey Cup and continued success for many years to follow.

For me, it was important to find a leader that has competed, and won against the highest-level of coaches in the game of football. Jeff has done that. It was also important to have somebody who knows the Canadian game very well. He has played in our league, coached in our league, excelled in our league and respects our league. Having Jeff Tedford coach us not only elevates the BC Lions, but I firmly believe it raises the bar for the entire CFL.

With that, I look forward to formally introducing Coach Tedford at a press conference this afternoon at 4pm. And I would like to invite you, our passionate fans, to watch the conference as we live stream it on BCLions.com.

You can view the official press release here.
http://bclions.com/article/lions-name-jeff-tedford-as-new-head-coach?camefrom=EMCL_485527_21719730

I want to thank you for your tremendous loyalty to our organization and your support. I wish you and your family all the best during this holiday season and I look forward to having you join Coach Tedford and all of us in 2015 for what will be an exciting year of football for our BC Lions.

Merry Christmas!

Wally Buono
GM & Vice-President of Football Ops
BC Lions Football Club

[Myk Aussie]

"BC acts as a homecoming of sorts for Tedford." Morris
http://bclions.com/article/syndicated/464107/morris-bc-acts-as-a-homecoming-of-sorts-for-tedford

[Myk Aussie]

From the BC Lions.

The BC Lions Football Club officially confirmed this afternoon that offensive line coach Dan Dorazio, defensive line coach Carl Hairston, running backs coach Kelly Bates and receivers coach Joe Paopao will not return to the team in 2015.

“My thanks go out to each of these men for their time and their dedication to our club,” said VP of football operations and GM Wally Buono. “We wish them the very best in the future.”

The club will make a formal announcement regarding its 2015 coaching staff in coming days when all positions have been confirmed by head coach Jeff Tedford.

An announcement was also made this morning that veteran fullback Rolly Lumbala has signed a contract extension through the 2016 season. Lumbala appeared in all 18 regular season games last season for the Leos making it four consecutive years the Idaho grad has not missed a start. The seven-year vet was originally selected by the Lions in the second round of the 2008 CFL Draft (ninth overall) and has now logged 117 career games along with nine playoff appearances and a Grey Cup title in 2011.

[Myk Aussie]

JEFF GARCIA TO HEADLINE BC LIONS 2015 ORANGE HELMET AWARDS PRESENTED BY COAST CAPITAL SAVINGS

The BC Lions Football Club is pleased to announce that Jeff Garcia will be the key note speaker at this year's Orange Helmet Awards on Wednesday, April 15th at The Westin Bayshore in Vancouver!

http://view.tmclient.ticketmaster.com/?j=fec4117177660c74&m=fe9515707262077970&ls=fdf91770746d007e7612717d&l=fed615707165067c&s=fe1f137874620475721679&jb=ff9c1671&ju=fe5816727262007c7d1d&camefrom=EMCL_512289_22764189&r=0

[Myk Aussie]

BC Lions sign NFLer Austin Collie

http://bclions.com/article/lions-sign-NFL-veteran-receiver-austin-collie

[Myk Aussie]

Ritch "3rd Down" Dowrey has passed away/crossed over!

3rd Down was a great man to have a beer and CFL chat with at BC Lions games tailgate parties and at Grey Cups!

He loved the BC Lions as much as anyone I have known in my time in Canada!

For the post about 3rd Down
http://total-cfl.com/discussion/index.php?topic=338.0

[Myk Aussie]

From the BC Lions. BC Lions lock-in Solomon Elimimian and Adam Bighill through 2017!

The BC Lions Football Club is pleased to announce that linebackers Solomon Elimimian and Adam Bighill have both signed contract extensions through the 2017 season.

“When you can secure two of our league’s best defensive players with long-term contracts, it’s a very special day,” said VP of football operations and GM Wally Buono. “Solomon and Adam are impact players who not only make our defence extremely difficult to play against, they also bring the kind of leadership needed to form the foundation of a championship team.”       

Elimimian comes off a historic 2014 campaign which saw the five-year pro set a new CFL record for defensive tackles in a season with 143 and ultimately earn the league’s Most Outstanding Player Award along with the Most Outstanding Defensive Player nod. Heading into his sixth year with the club, Elimimian has played 71 regular season games and sits in third spot all-time among former Lions with 430 total tackles including 27 on special teams to go along with 17 sacks and six interceptions. 

“I’ve never been more proud to be a Lion and I am very happy to be part of this organization moving forward. I want nothing more than to put on that orange jersey and help win championships for our fans,” said Elimimian. “It’s also very special to be doing this today with Adam. Playing alongside him is like playing beside your brother and it means the world to me that we are able to do this extension together.”   

Originally joining the Lions as a free agent in 2011, Bighill enters his fifth season with the club and has logged 63 regular season appearances notching 280 defensive tackles, 24 sacks, 62 special teams tackles, six forced fumbles and six interceptions.

“I’m thrilled to sign this extension and know that I am a Lion through 2017,” said Bighill. “Playing football in BC with the core group we have here means you have an opportunity to win a Grey Cup every season and that’s our ultimate goal. Knowing I get to do that with Solomon makes it that much better.”

BC Lions ink free agent DB Chris Rwabukamba!

The BC Lions Football Club announced this morning that Canadian defensive back Chris Rwabukamba (pronounced Ruh-buh-kahm-ba) has signed as a free agent with the team.

The Duke University grad moves west after spending the last two seasons with the Edmonton Eskimos where he notched 40 defensive tackles and two interceptions over 29 regular season games, 18 as a starter in the Edmonton secondary.

The talented defensive back was originally drafted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2010 (4th round, 27th overall) and spent the 2011 and 2012 campaigns with the Black and Gold appearing in 20 games, eight as a starter. 

“Chris is a veteran defensive back who can play both corner and safety which gives us depth at those key positions,” said VP of football operations and GM Wally Buono.

[Myk Aussie]

This is good news about my favourite CFL player ever! 'Geroy Simon coming back home to the B.C. Lions — where he belongs'

http://www.theprovince.com/sports/football/bc-lions/Geroy+Simon+coming+back+home+Lions+where+belongs/10806304/story.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[Myk Aussie]

From the BC Lions. The BC Lions Football Club announced this morning that defensive back Ryan Phillips has agreed to a contract extension through the 2016 season and kicker Paul McCallum will return for 2015.

“Both Paul and Ryan remain integral parts of our team as they continue to perform at a high level on the field and play a vital role as respected leaders in the dressing room,” said VP of football operations and GM Wally Buono.

Phillips enters his 11th CFL season and has made 180 consecutive appearances for the club since signing as a free agent in 2005. The Seattle native and four-time CFL All-Star notched a team-high three interceptions last year along with 39 defensive tackles. Ryan’s incredible run of consecutive games is the longest among all active CFL players and his 40 career interceptions place him second in club history behind the great Larry Crawford.

Only the second player in the history of professional football to reach the 3,000-point plateau, kicker Paul McCallum prepares for his 23rd CFL campaign and his 12th as a Lion in 2015. Earning his sixth nod as a West Division All-Star, Paul was good on 38 of 42 field goal attempts in 2014 for a CFL-best 90.5% success rate.

His remarkable career has seen the 45 year-old McCallum appear in 325 regular season games, 151 as a Lion, and establish a success rate of 80.6% on field goals, tops among all kickers with at least 400 attempts along with 18 seasons with 100 or more points.

Thank you for your support as a BC Lions Insider!

Serving you with PRIDE,
Your BC Lions Fan Customer Services Team

[Myk Aussie]

From the BC Lions. The BC Lions have added some NFL depth to their receiving corps with international receiver Lavelle Hawkins signing with the team.

Hawkins was originally selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft (126th overall). Through five seasons with the Titans, he hauled in 71 receptions for 771 yards and a touchdown. His most productive year came in 2011 as he appeared in all 16 regular season games for Tennessee and tallied 47 catches for 470 yards.

The former University of California grad, who also saw time with the San Diego Chargers in 2013 as a returner, will be reunited with his former college head coach Jeff Tedford when he reports to the Lions in late-April for the club’s offseason workout.

“Lavelle is an elusive and talented receiver who brings significant experience to our team,” said Tedford. “He’s a gifted route-runner who will be able to take advantage of our larger field and I look forward to seeing how he will contribute to our offense.”

Thank you for your support as a BC Lions season ticket holder!

Serving you with PRIDE,

Your BC Lions Fan Customer Services Team

[Myk Aussie]

From the BC Lions.

The BC Lions Football Club enjoyed a busy and productive evening at the 2015 CFL Draft table picking up eight future Leos including first-round selection Ese Mrabure-Ajufo (last name pronounced Mah-Bray–Ajue-fo) out of Wilfrid Laurier University with the fifth overall selection.

“It was a very good night for the club and I’m grateful for the work Neil McEvoy and Geroy Simon put in over the past number of months as well as Jeff and his staff,” beamed Wally Buono. “This was a deep and talented class of Canadian football players which will likely produce a large number of starters around the league.”

First-year Lions will hit the field in Kamloops, BC beginning Thursday, May 28 before the full squad begins training camp on Sunday, May 31 presented by Sun Peaks Resort.

Take a loot at the info below to get caught up on all that happened on draft day.

http://view.tmclient.ticketmaster.com/?j=fece12737767067c&m=fe9515707262077970&ls=fdf41774766d077f73137675&l=fec0157270630374&s=fe1f137874620475721679&jb=ff9b1672&ju=fe531677776d0d7e7013&camefrom=EMCL_632321_27299357&r=0

[Myk Aussie]

From the BC Lions. The BC Lions announced today announced that they have agreed to terms on contracts with all six eligible members of their 2015 CFL Draft class.

Defensive linemen Ese Mrabure-Ajufo and Maxx Forde, running back Shaquille Murray-Lawrence,linebacker Adrian Clarke, offensive lineman Campbell Allison and defensive back Josh Brinkworth will arrive in Vancouver with other first-year Lions on Wednesday, May 27 before making their way to Kamloops for rookie-camp.

The Lions picked up a total of eight players in the 2015 CFL Draft, with Christian Covongton and Brett Boyko under contract with NFL Teams.

The Lions also announced that running back Tim Brown, receiver Kito Poblah , kicker Steven Shott and offensive tackle Andre Ramsey have been released.

[Myk Aussie]

Lions ask McCallum to retire.

http://blogs.theprovince.com/2015/06/04/lions-ask-mccallum-to-retire/

[Myk Aussie]

Something really interesting happened as I was on Sports Rage and just after re the CFL and the BC Lions great win and Gabe ending up happy with his bet!

"Watch now! I talking #AFL Rd15 picks & best bets, #CFL , #UFC189 with Gabe @sportsrage last night! 1hr 14min mark!  http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/67261873 " @MykAussie