B.C. Lions Fire Coach Rick Campbell: What Happened? A Cheeky Take!
Ah, Vancouver, the city of beautiful landscapes, cultured life, and a football team that just can’t seem to nail down consistency. The B.C. Lions have decided to wave goodbye to head coach and co-general manager Rick Campbell faster than you can say, “Oh look, a squirrel!” Yes, the Lions are on the hunt for a new leader, and let’s face it, when you start off 5-1 and then stumble through a five-game losing streak, it’s only a matter of time before someone gets the boot. Campbell, you were doing so well; did you trip over your own playbook?
Now, let’s talk about the hierarchy shake-up. Neil McEvoy has been promoted to vice-president of football operations while assistant GM Ryan Rigmaiden steps into the big shoes left by Campbell. It’s like a promotion in a corporate office where nobody actually wanted to be a manager in the first place. But hey, at least they’re still in the family! Kind of like a slightly dysfunctional family reunion where you’ve just fired Uncle Ricky because he couldn’t figure out how to cook the turkey, and now everyone is eyeing Cousin Ryan, hoping he can whip up something edible!
In a statement, Lions president Duane Vienneau praised Campbell for bringing the team “back to respectability and contention.” Let’s dissect that, shall we? Respectability? That’s a backhanded compliment if I ever heard one. It’s like saying, “Congratulations! You didn’t crash the car this time!” But I guess when you go from being a dismal 0-6 to 5-1, that’s something to write home about, right? Just don’t mention the five losses that followed—let’s keep that in the closet with Aunt Edna’s fruitcake.
Campbell’s tenure wasn’t all doom and gloom, though. He joined the lions after a successful run with the Redblacks, where he took them to a Grey Cup victory in 2016. He had a 38-30 record over four seasons, which is decent, but in the world of professional football, “decent” doesn’t get you a shiny new contract—it gets you the couch in the front room just in time for some serious pondering about ‘Life Choices’ while your former team is still trying to decide who to sign for next season.
But let’s not overlook the silver lining. Despite the rocky relations, Campbell seems a bit too confident that he won’t be seeking new employment come off-season. “There’s a good foundation,” he said, as if he were talking about IKEA furniture. “But we’re going to have to be really smart on the deletions and additions.” Brilliant! Sounds like you just took a crash course in roster management while munching on a few too many chicken wings at your buddy’s place. Good luck with that!
But where does this leave Campbell? Rumor has it he’s a front-runner for the coaching job over at the Edmonton Elks. Well, isn’t that just the way of it? One day you’re living the dream in Vancouver; the next, you’re packing your bags for another cold appointment, probably with slightly less salmon and a lot more moose. Also, let’s not forget Campbell’s impressive lineage—his father is coaching legend Hugh Campbell. Talk about having some hefty expectations—even a last name that could support a football stadium!
So, as the B.C. Lions forge ahead, let’s keep a close eye on what unfolds. New leadership can be invigorating, provided they don’t try to re-invent the wheel. Here’s hoping for a dramatic turnaround next season! If not, at least we can all count on the chaos and coffee breaks of sports management to keep us entertained.
Stay tuned, football fans—because if there’s one thing we know for certain, it’s that professional sports is just a series of spicy twists, turns, and knee-slapping content…
VANCOUVER — In a surprising shakeup, the B.C. Lions have officially terminated the contract of head coach and co-general manager Rick Campbell, marking a significant shift in the team’s leadership.
In a related organizational change, the Lions have elevated co-general manager Neil McEvoy to the position of vice-president of football operations while promoting assistant general manager Ryan Rigmaiden to the role of general manager in a strategic move aimed at strengthening their football operations.
The announcement was made public on Wednesday, with Lions president Duane Vienneau acknowledging Campbell’s contributions by stating that he successfully returned the franchise “back to respectability and contention” during his tenure.
This decision follows a tumultuous season for the Lions, who enjoyed a promising start with a 5-1 record but suffered through a disappointing five-game losing streak, ultimately finishing the season with a 9-9 record. The Lions managed to qualify for the playoffs but unfortunately exited the postseason after a loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the western conference semifinal.
Rick Campbell, aged 53, joined the Lions in December 2019 after a successful six-year stint with the Ottawa Redblacks, during which he notably led the team to victory in the 2016 Grey Cup.
He and Neil McEvoy were appointed co-general managers leading into the 2021 season as part of a reorganization following the departure of former GM Ed Hervey.
Campbell’s first season as head coach was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which postponed his debut with B.C. until 2021. Throughout his four seasons in charge, the team maintained a regular-season record of 38-30 and achieved a postseason mark of 2-3.
Following the Lions’ exit from the playoffs this year, Campbell commented on the need for a comprehensive evaluation of every position within the organization.
“There’s a lot of decisions to be made,” he said, emphasizing the importance of smart strategic adjustments. “I think there’s a lot of pieces here that are good. There’s a good foundation here. But we’re going to have to be really smart on the deletions and additions that we make to make us better.”
Despite the uncertainty swirling around his position, Campbell expressed confidence about his future, stating that he didn’t anticipate searching for a new job during the offseason. “I’m working and I’m doing my thing,” he reassured, “I haven’t heard otherwise.”
Hailing from Spokane, Washington, Rick Campbell grew up in Edmonton, the son of legendary coach Hugh Campbell, who famously led the Edmonton team to five consecutive Grey Cup victories between 1978 and 1982, casting a long shadow over the CFL landscape.
Rick Campbell pursued higher education at the University of Washington and later served as a graduate assistant at the University of Oregon. His coaching career began with the Edmonton Eskimos as a defensive backs coach in 1999, and he subsequently held various coaching roles with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Calgary Stampeders before joining the Redblacks in 2014.
3 Down Nation has reported that Campbell is a likely candidate for the head coaching position with the Edmonton Elks following recent developments.
The Elks recently appointed Ed Hervey as their new general manager, who is notably the executive that brought Campbell to the Lions in their previous restructuring.
How will the new leadership under Neil McEvoy and Ryan Rigmaiden impact the future of the B.C. Lions?
**Interview with Football Analyst Jamie Collins on the B.C. Lions Coaching Shakeup**
**Host:** Welcome, everyone! Today we’re diving into the recent coaching changes with the B.C. Lions, who have just parted ways with head coach Rick Campbell. To discuss this surprising decision, we have football analyst Jamie Collins. Welcome, Jamie!
**Jamie Collins:** Thanks for having me! Exciting times in the CFL for sure.
**Host:** So, Rick Campbell is out after joining the Lions back in 2019. What are your thoughts on this sudden change?
**Jamie Collins:** Honestly, it was bound to happen. The Lions had a promising start with that 5-1 run, but ending the season with a disappointing 9-9 record and a playoff exit made it clear that continuity wasn’t going to cut it. The five-game losing streak really sealed the deal.
**Host:** Right. And we saw Neil McEvoy get promoted to vice-president of football operations while Ryan Rigmaiden steps up as general manager. Do you think this new leadership will bring a different vision for the team?
**Jamie Collins:** Absolutely! McEvoy and Rigmaiden are seasoned with the team, which is a plus. They understand the organization’s culture and the challenges ahead. However, this is a transition where they’ll need to prove they can make the strategic adjustments Campbell talked about. It’s like giving fresh paint to an old building—you want the structure to stay, but you need that aesthetic upgrade!
**Host:** Speaking of adjustments, Campbell mentioned needing a comprehensive evaluation of every position. Do you think that’s a key element for the Lions moving forward?
**Jamie Collins:** For sure! Evaluating every position is critical in understanding what went wrong this season and which players can potentially form a solid core moving forward. Campbell referred to having a good foundation, so it’s about building upwards and making smart decisions on who stays and who goes.
**Host:** There was a lot of praise for Campbell’s earlier successes, especially leading the Ottawa Redblacks to a Grey Cup win. Do you think that created an expectation that was hard to live up to in Vancouver?
**Jamie Collins:** Definitely! Having that Grey Cup on your résumé sets a standard that many franchises aspire to achieve, and while he brought some respectability back to the Lions, “decent” performance isn’t what the team’s fans want. They’re looking for championships, not just the process of getting there.
**Host:** And what does the future look like for Campbell? There’s already speculation he might be a candidate for the coaching job at the Edmonton Elks.
**Jamie Collins:** If he lands that job, it could open up a fresh chapter for him. It’s always tough being under a microscope with a last name like Campbell—his father was a legendary coach! But I think he’ll land on his feet; coaches like him have a knack for bouncing back.
**Host:** Great insights, Jamie! One last question: what should fans be looking for from the Lions this off-season?
**Jamie Collins:** Fans should keep an eye on how McEvoy and Rigmaiden reshape the roster. They have to be strategic in player acquisitions and deletions. If they can bring in the right pieces, we might see the Lions compete again in a big way!
**Host:** Thanks, Jamie! It’s always a pleasure to break down the latest news with you. Keep those eyes peeled, folks!
**Jamie Collins:** Absolutely! Exciting times ahead, stay tuned.
