Pierce names his 2025 coaching staff

[SammyGreene]

And there it is. My initial impression is he has put together an impressive staff loaded with experience.

Looks like he will also serve as OC. Bourgoin is his lone Bombers recruit. Phillips working both sides of the ball. At one point last season the RedBlacks started 5 nationals on the OL under Charbonneau. Welcome back Randy Melvin!

BC Lions general manager Ryan Rigmaiden and head coach Buck Pierce announced eight additional members of the club’s coaching staff for the upcoming 2025 season:

Mike Benevides- defensive coordinator

Cory McDiarmid- special teams coordinator

Kevin Bourgoin- wide receivers coach

Paul Charbonneau- offensive line coach

Ryan Phillips- secondary coach, pass game coordinator

Randy Melvin- defensive line coach

Glen Young- linebackers coach

Derek Oswalt– assistant coach

**Pierce will also hold the title of offensive coordinator while a running backs coach will be hired in the coming weeks.

Benevides- enters his 15th season with the organization (2003-14, 2023-present) in the role he held for the squad from 2008-12, a run that featured 11 CFL All-Stars on defence plus a second consecutive Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award for Cam Wake (2008).

Bene’ served as the Lions’ 26th head coach from 2012-14 and won 33 regular season games, good for sixth on the club’s all-time list. A three-time Grey Cup champion (2001, 2006, 2011), Benevides also served as defensive coordinator in Ottawa (2021-22) and Edmonton (2016-18).

The Toronto native also had the role of special teams coordinator with the Lions (2003-07, 2023-24) and began his CFL career with the Calgary Stampeders (2000-02) serving as a defensive assistant, linebackers coach and special teams coordinator.

McDiarmid- returns to the Lions after beginning his CFL coaching career in the den from 2000-02. A Grey Cup champion in his first season, the Nanaimo native worked with the Lions running backs and special teams units.

He is coming off a stint as special teams coordinator with the Ottawa RedBlacks (2022-24) and held the same role in Toronto (2019-20), Edmonton (2016-18) and Winnipeg (2006-08).

McDiarmid also served as assistant head coach/defensive coordinator with the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees and won a Vanier Cup on the UBC Thunderbirds staff in 1997.

Bourgoin– spent the last eight seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers; first as running backs coach (2016-19) and then as receivers coach (2021-24). During his stint coaching the running backs, Andrew Harris won the CFL’s rushing title three straight years and captured CFL Most Outstanding Canadian in 2018.

A two-time Grey Cup champion (2019,2021), Bourgoin’s time as receivers coach saw Dalton Schoen win CFL Most Outstanding Rookie while Kenny Lawler and Nic Demski also recorded 1,000 plus-yard seasons.

Bourgoin began his coaching career at Colby College in 1997 and had a stint at the University of Maine from 2007-16, serving as offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks coach and then assistant head coach.

Charbonneau– served as offensive line coach with the Ottawa RedBlacks for the past three seasons while holding the same position with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2014-15) and Montreal Alouettes (2016-17). After his time in Montreal, Charbonneau was the offensive line coach at Lindenwood University-Belleville (NAIA) before coaching running backs at Washington University in St. Louis (NCAA) and then becoming co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Roosevelt University (NAI).

Charbonneau began his coaching career at the University of North Dakota (2006-09), working with the school’s offensive line and tight ends. From there, he moved on to the role of offensive line coach at Valley City State University and then assistant head coach at Avila University before his return north of the border.

Phillips- RP is back for a sixth season on the coaching staff and 17th overall with the organization. During his stint as defensive coordinator (2022-24), Mathieu Betts won the CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award in a 2023 season where the defence recorded two shutout victories, something that hadn’t happened since the 1970 Calgary Stampeders accomplished the feat.

The Seattle native and Eastern Washington alum joined the Lions as a player in 2005 and enjoyed a stellar 12-year run in orange and black. A two-time Grey Cup champion and four-time CFL All-Star, Phillips’ 47 interceptions are second on the all-time list behind Larry Crawford.

Melvin-returns for a third go-around as Lions defensive line coach after serving in the role for the 2011 Grey Cup championship season and again in 2018. Melvin’s first stint with the Lions saw Aaron Hunt, Khlaif Mitchell and Keron Williams earn CFL All-Star selections.

Melvin most recently was the defensive line coach with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2019-23) and appeared in the Grey Cup in each of his first two seasons in Steeltown.

A veteran of nearly 40 years in the coaching fraternity, Melvin was part of Bill Belichick’s Super Bowl-winning staff in New England in 2001 as defensive line coach while also holding the same position with the Cleveland Browns (2005-08) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2012-13.

The Aurora, Illinois native has also held several coaching positions in US College including Eastern Illinois (1988-94), Wyoming (1995-96), Purdue (1997-99), Temple (2000) and Rutgers (2010).

Young- the native of Scarborough, Ontario joins the Lions after a stint as defensive line coach with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last season. Young also served as defensive coordinator of the Toronto Argonauts in 2021 following a four-year run as defensive line coach in Winnipeg.

Young was selected by Hamilton in round three (22nd overall) of the 1992 CFL Draft and spent five seasons in the NFL, highlighted by a stint in San Diego from 1994-96 where he served as special teams captain and helped the Chargers reach Super Bowl XXIX against San Francisco. The linebacker returned north to suit up with Toronto (1998-00), Montreal (2001) and Edmonton (2002-05). Before returning to the CFL as a coach, Young was a graduate assistant at Michigan State and the defensive coordinator at Brockport University.

Oswalt- returns for a fourth season with the Lions after holding the title of video coordinator and special teams assistant in 2024 while also assisting team brass in preparation for the Global Draft.

Oz was previously on staff with the Edmonton Elks in a variety of roles from 2018-21 and began his CFL coaching career in Ottawa from 2014-17.

[don corleone]

Solid group cherry picked from across the league. I wish them well.

Would love to see Andrew Harris as RB coach.

[Hambone]

And there it is. My initial impression is he is put together an impressive staff loaded with experience.

Looks like he will also serve as OC. Bourgoin is his lone Bombers recruit. Phillips working both sides of the ball. At one point last season the RedBlacks started 5 nationals on the OL under Charbonneau. Welcome back Randy Melvin!

BC Lions general manager Ryan Rigmaiden and head coach Buck Pierce announced eight additional members of the club’s coaching staff for the upcoming 2025 season:

Mike Benevides- defensive coordinator

Cory McDiarmid- special teams coordinator

Kevin Bourgoin- wide receivers coach

Paul Charbonneau- offensive line coach

Ryan Phillips- secondary coach, pass game coordinator

Randy Melvin- defensive line coach

Glen Young- linebackers coach

Derek Oswalt– assistant coach

Looks like a good mix from different organizations. Much different tact than Claybrooks used. Where Claybrooks tapped several assistants with either no experience or maybe 1 year Pierce as a rookie HC is surrounding himself with veterans

Of note while Charbonneau did coach a heavily NAT OL he was blessed with a lot of top talent. When they did start 5 it was due to the loss due to injury of American LT Dino Boyd. Ottawa lost Boyd for the season in Wk 15. They went 1-4 after he went down.

Of the 7 NAT OL on the roster only Eric Starczala was drafted later than 11th overall. Toronto took him 63rd overall way back in 2019. As best as I can tell he spent 2 years on Argos PR (or was injured), 1 year on Ottawa's PR before finally suiting up for a couple of games in 2023. Their other 6 were originally drafted no worse than 11th with 3 being taken in the top 4 by their drafting teams. BC's current talent was drafted 2nd, 6th, 10th, 21st, 51st and Peirson was undrafted.

He'll have his work cut out for him.

[Hambone]

Cue an OV rant about dullard, myopic, old boys club, recycling, etc.

[Toppy Vann]

Now we know why it took a while to interview and finalize Buck's new staff.

I dislike how they characterize Ryan Phillips reassignment in the 3Down Staff headline - although it comes across as a demotion.

B.C. Lions confirm Mike Benevides as DC, demote Ryan Phillips on 2025 coaching staff
By 3Down Staff -January 2, 2025

In situations like this, it's how these things are perceived by the incumbent as a demotivated member of staff is not a good thing.

I'm confident that Buck understands his distinct role as HC so this is not a big worry for me. DeVonne Claybrooks who deserved better IMO spent too little time on the big picture. Rick Campbell based on his practice structure did grasp that despite his departure.

In addition to his role as head coach, Buck Pierce will serve as offensive coordinator and handle the quarterbacks.

The team expects to add a running backs coach in the coming weeks.

The more important question is what QB does he have in Nathan Rourke this upcoming season. I'm hopeful he's going to be back top of his game after moving around so much the prior two years.





https://3downnation.com/2025/01/02/b-c- ... ing-staff/

[B.C.FAN]

It looks like a solid staff. The new roles for Benevides and Phillips are no surprise. Regardless of how RP's change of title is described, he is a passionate coach who has a lot of experience as a DB and position coach with the organization.

I'm most excited to see how the the O-line and D-line play under Charbonneau and Melvin, respectively. Melvin had a lot of success in his previous time in B.C.

The CFL coaching cap allows a maximum of 11 coaches, so Pierce could hire an offensive coordinator later if he wants, in addition to a running backs coach.

[maxlion]

I’m happy to see Randy Melvin back—not that I thought Bowman should have been let go, but Melvin is a very adequate replacement. Also happy to see that Phillips is staying. Hopefully there will be no issues with both him and Benevides here. That can sometimes be a bit awkward, depending on the egos involved, but I don’t think it will be here.

I’m most interested to see how the new OL and ST coaches impact things. In my opinion, some fresh thinking was needed in those two areas.

Seems like a well rounded group with a wide range of experience and backgrounds.

[TheLionKing]

Like the makeup of this staff.

[DanoT]

I was disappointed to see John Bowman leave, but I am ecstatic to see see Randy Melvin hired. If memory serves, under Melvin the very controversial Khalif Mitchell had his best year on and off the field.

[Gridiron Ernie]

In addition to what's already been posted here, looks like the Lions "Coaching Staff" page is still under construction but nice to see a bit more detailed info on the individuals as the work progresses. Link: https://www.bclions.com/coaching-staff/ It's an interesting group, and nice to see a few familiar names from our past in the mix. I wish them all a very good season ahead. I'm excited to see the short and long term effects.

[OV:54-40]

Like the makeup of this staff.

Agreed - an impressive, diverse group with lots of coaching experience. Rookie HC Buck surrounds himself with a good looking, experienced group IMO.

[TheLionKing]

What is a passing game coordinator ??

[David]

Also happy to see that Phillips is staying. Hopefully there will be no issues with both him and Benevides here. That can sometimes be a bit awkward, depending on the egos involved, but I don’t think it will be here.

I am happy RP was retained but was slightly concerned that we could have a similar locker room dynamic to when Rourke displaced VA. Much different situation mind you, Benny has more than paid his dues. But will there be RP loyalists that believe he was dealt a bad hand by the club?


DH

[WestCoastJoe]

When he first became DC for the Lions years ago, Benny said they would be a diversified, attack D. Nope. Lots of zone, lack of pressure and soft coverage. Mind you it was Wally's World at that time, and Mikey went with what Wally wanted.

This time? I have a hard time believing Benny will present an attack D. But that type of D is just my preference. Will the Lions be at or near the top of CFL defences? I have my doubts.

That is a strange role for Ryan P, DBs and passing game. Plus the demotion? Very strange, but budgets are limited.

Buck has been in the CFL for 2 decades. Lots of time to network and make judgments. Hopefully he made some good selections.

[don corleone]

What is a passing game coordinator ??

May vary from team to team. An interesting phrase to search.

https://coachandcoordinator.com/2024/02 ... ordinator/