The BC Lions have made a decision on their next head coach and he’s someone fans will recognize.
The team hired Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive coordinator Buck Pierce to lead their group next season. He’s the 28th head coach in franchise history.
The 43-year-old Pierce quarterbacked the Lions for parts of six seasons during his CFL playing days. He joined the Blue Bombers coaching staff upon his retirement back in 2014 and has been with that organization ever since.
“I’m extremely excited and honoured to take this next step in my coaching career with the organization that originally brought me here nearly 20 years ago,” said Pierce through a press release.
“My sincere thanks go out to Mr. Doman, Duane Vienneau, Neil McEvoy, Ryan Rigmaiden and the entire organization for instilling their belief that I can lead this great franchise. The building blocks are in place here and we look forward to getting to work as we strive to bring the Grey Cup back to British Columbia.”
Pierce helped take the Blue Bombers all the way to the most recent Grey Cup where they fell to the Toronto Argonauts.
The Lions fired former head coach Rick Campbell back on November 20 after a disappointing season which saw them lose to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in their first playoff game.
The team also traded quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. this offseason, cementing Nathan Rourke as the starter moving forward. Pierce will get to work with the CFL’s 2022 Most Outstanding Canadian as they look to help the Lions win their first Grey Cup since 2011.
While there are still some details that need to be ironed out, Pierce’s agreement with the Lions is expected to be for three years per CHEK’s Rick Dhaliwal.
“Buck was a candidate we identified early in this process as someone ready to step in and lead our franchise. His track record in the Canadian Football League as both a player and a coach says it all. We are excited and proud to bring him back to the BC Lions as our 28th head coach,” said GM Ryan Rigmaiden.
Pierce has three Grey Cup victories under his belt, one as a player with the Lions in 2006 and two with the Blue Bombers on their coaching staff in 2019 and 2021.