Buck Pierce Named Lions Head Coach

[Blitz]

I'm happy and relieved that our B.C. Lions have hired Buck Pierce as our new Head Coach.

There is no guarantee that Buck's previous success as a CFL pro quarterback with B.C. and Winnipeg, along with his 10 years of CFL coaching as a running backs, quarterback coach and offensive coordinator will translate into success in this new role.

But he is deserving of the opportunity.

I'm pleased we hired Buck Pierce due to his previous success. I'm happy we hired someone who has coached on the offensive side of the football. I'm pleased that Buck Pierce has coordinated an offence that values the running game and his running attack not just an inside zone read, zone blocking scheme. I'm happy that he coordinated an offence that used misdirection bootlegs and did not keep his quarterback stuck in the pocket. I appreciate that Buck is a big believer in play action.

Buck has always been a class act and a character guy, as both a player and as a coach.

I remember well one of the most courageous scenarios I have ever watched in pro sports was a time when Buck was our Leos quarterback and played an entire game in much pain, bent over on the sidelines in agony after each series, and yet returning to action. He put it all on the line each and every play.

It was a double-edged sword in that, at the time, I believed it was cruel of Wally to keep putting Buck back out there to play. But it also was a powerful demonstration of Buck's courage and grit and passion for the game of football.

It's a very good day to be a B.C, Lions fan.

[Robbie]

Now that Buck Pierce is head coach of the BC Lions, will you have any personal biases based on his former stint with the Lions as a player? In Lions history, the Lions had a handful of ex-Lions players how later on served as a coach and possibly management so far, they didn't do all that well using these examples:

1. As a QB Joe Kapp led the Lions to their first Grey Cup appearance in 1963 and win 1964 and is part of the Ring of Honour so that's self-explanatory. But as General Manager in 1990, despite bringing in Doug Flutie the team was in turmoil and he was fired after 11 games.

2. Joe Paopao played as QB for the Lions and had some good parts. But didn't do all that well as head coach in 1996 and had short stints as an assistant coach.

3. Jacques Chapdelaine has been the scapegoat for the 1983 GC loss and got countless criticisms as offensive coordinator.

As a player, were your memories of Buck Pierce more positive or negative?

I'd say they are slightly more positive but not too positive a he always seemed to be relegated in a backup role because of either injury or was outshined by others. A positive moment was in the 2006 GC when it was he who threw the lateral pass to Ian Smart for the Lions only TD. He got the starting job in the end of the 2008 and unfortunately he played in one of the most frustrating Lions games ever in the 2008 WDF in Calgary in that so many times Lions got the ball in the red zone but Buck Pierce just couldn't get it in the end zone to essentially get a huge lead and put the game away, which eventually allowed the Stampeders to catch up and win the game. And as an opponent, fortunately Pierce didn't have one of his best outings in the 2011 GC.

[TheLionKing]

Previous head coaching experience is greatly overrated. Corey Mace, Ryan Dinwiddie, Don Matthews to name a few

[Robbie]

Can you think of examples in pro football or in pro sports for that matter in which an individual was outstanding as a player and then continued to be outstanding as a coach?

From what I know from the top of my head, I can only think of one or the other, but not both.

[B.C.FAN]

Buck Pierce trivia: He wasn’t the starting quarterback in the 2006 Grey Cup but he was on the field for all 25 B.C. points because he was also the holder for Paul McCallum.

Buck was a good story because he was an unsung overachiever as a player. I don’t know enough about him as a coach, but we’re going to find out soon enough. I agree with those who have said that after 20 years in the league he deserves this opportunity. I hope it goes well.

[Robbie]

Buck Pierce trivia: He wasn’t the starting quarterback in the 2006 Grey Cup but he was on the field for all 25 B.C. points because he was also the holder for Paul McCallum.

Excellent point, B.C.FAN.

As such, another posting of the 2006 Grey Cup with Buck Pierce in action.

[don corleone]

Looking forward to seeing what Buck can do as HC. I know it is the trend with Dinwiddie and Maas calling plays but I think better for Buck to not do both jobs. I wonder if they can come to an arrangement for Jordan Maksymik to remain with the team. He would be just as well off with BC than going to Edm imo

[SammyGreene]

It’s now official.

https://www.cfl.ca/2024/12/03/report-li ... ead-coach/

I’m happy for Buck and I’m sure he’ll be welcomed by fans, but I think defence is the Lions’ biggest area of need. The Lions have had some of the CFL’s best offensive talent in recent years, but it doesn’t do much good if the defence can’t get off the field. Buck’s choice of assistants is crucial for the team’s success in 2025.

Totally agree BC FAN. Poor defensive scheme and simply not enough talent. Until Betts returned on a prorated deal ($150,000), Bo Lokombo was our highest paid defensive player ($144,800). Yet the offence featured Hollins, Cottoy, Chungh and Couture all making $200,000 or more. Hatcher will also be in that pay range in 2025.

Meanwhile the Argos have made defence their top priority with McManis the league's highest paid LB ($206,000), while Orimolade ($240,000), Ceresna ($220,000) rank 1-2 in top paid defensive linemen while Robbie Smith ($165,000) ranked 11th.

Farhan said all season the Lions needed 30 points or more to win games which is pretty embarassing. The Lions better get serious about building a championship defence and the next defensive coordinator is a crucial hiring, as is investing in it too.

Really happy for Buck in what had to be a huge decision to uproot his young family, especially for his wife you has been battling cancer in recent years and is a Winnipeg girl.
https://winnipegsun.com/sports/a-place- ... love-story

[Hambone]

Toronto wasn't cheap on the other side of the ball either. Where Chungh & Couture were the 6th & 11th highest paid OL the Argos were paying Hunter and Nicastro to be the 4th & 8th highest paid. While BC was paying Hollins and Cottoy about $420 combined Toronto was paying Brissett and Daniels $350K. The Argos also had SB Kurleigh Gittens set to earn $210K until dealing him to Edmonton for DL Jake Ceresna also making $210K. Toronto also had the CFL's 2nd highest paid QB. BC's biggest RB investment was in David Mackie at $117.5K followed by Stanback at $99.8K hard money which would turn into very close to the $125.8K max value as I believe he earned all of his playtime bonuses.

Winnipeg probably more closely followed BC's salary allocations. They had the CFL's highest paid QB & RB and 3 receivers making more than Hollins 5th ranked salary. Their OL was fairly modest in salary. Bryant took a $20K cut to $169K while Hardrick bolted to Saskatchewan to be the CFL's 3rd highest paid OL at $230.5K; $90K more than he made with the Bombers in 2023.

[Lion Guy]

I’ll add to my fire Phillips post…..

And please get rid of those ugly uniforms.

[Toppy Vann]

Looking forward to seeing what Buck can do as HC. I know it is the trend with Dinwiddie and Maas calling plays but I think better for Buck to not do both jobs. I wonder if they can come to an arrangement for Jordan Maksymik to remain with the team. He would be just as well off with BC than going to Edm imo

I prefer the HC to be in a position to take an overview leadership role of all facets.
That means you've got to have the coaching talent.

Now if Buck Pierce calls plays, I'm on board as I'm confident he knows the role of a HC having worked with Mike O'Shea.

O'Shea has had that as has Dinwiddie who calls plays (in a briliant ST coach and solid DEF coaches). Mike Miller is his QB whisperer who when absent two years ago led to a Chad Kelly debacle and loss in the East Final. Maas has that with Noel Thorpe and he calls plays.

In Buck's case, if he doesn't influence the offense we're getting more of the same here.

I want to see a Bomber type offense that we didn't see in the GC game with more guys making plays out of the backfield and an ability to run the ball when you want to. Some of these OCs with one run play make it look like they don't believe in that facet of the game.

NEW STAFF? MIXED VIEWS

As to bringing in other coaches versus keeping the same co-ordinators, I've got mixed views here:

1. a new HC who has a specific philosophy often needs to bring in someone who's fully on board with that.
You don't want the old gang telling you like it is around here.

2. Ryan Phillips looked to be an up and comer.

Like Mark Kilam and Brett Monson who've been dumped by the Stamps and BOTH landing on their feet, the question is:

Did they become bad coaches overnight or were there other factors?

> with BC there seems to be other factors last year on DEF and on OFF with VA hurt and a former star QB returning and not able to play at the old level given his NFL journey.


If Buck brings in a clear philosophy for this team and the coaching staff and they have or can get the personnel to make it happen then keep them.

Buck's first tasks:

1. Outline his philosophy and how he wants this team to be structured and perform

2. Get that staff focused on "What will it take/what needs to happen" to build a culture and a team with an OFF, DEF, ST and off field support that can win a Grey Cup?

I suspect from how Jason Maas talks he did the above as he is not the Mess er Maas he was before Montreal.

Underlying theme: More of the same will not get a better result.

If it's just we expect Rourke to shoot the lights out and no balanced attack that excites fans, inspires the OFF and OL's love run plays and same old on DEF and STs (run up the middle, be safe), it's then on Nathan Rourke to get those big plays and 30 points a game.

Stanback got lots of yards but in my mind BC couldn't run the ball when they needed to as the schemes weren't there and DEF all knew what was happening.

[Toppy Vann]

We shall see if:

1. Will BC need to restructure the QB contract to have money for other needs?
If players were annoyed on how VA was handled when able to play, surely players know what's going to one guy as it means less for them.

2. When Buck was back in 2013, i Mike Benevides was HC so not likely any issues there?
I do believe this is not the same Mike B he was a HC. He's not had a Jason Maas type change but more mature.
Not a spectacular ST coach but hey even the Argos ST coach is fiery as those guys need to be?

3. I wonder if Buck is moving his family here? Or pulling a Maas who I read lives in Sherwood Park, Alberta. This can work these days for coaches but you lose the promotional chances unless you fly him in for things which is easy to do?

4. Will Buck have an assistant or two he wants to bring in? Lots of spots here. Like to see Buck's team mate Kelly Bates stay on.


COACHING STAFF
Buck Pierce Head Coach
Jordan Maksymic Offensive Coordinator
Ryan Phillips Defensive Coordinator, Assistant Head Coach
Mike Benevides Special Teams Coordinator
Kelly Bates Offensive Line Coach
Jason Tucker Receivers Coach
Travis Brown Linebackers Coach
John Bowman Defensive Line Coach
Trysten Dyce Running Backs Coach
Tanya Henderson Defensive Assistant
Derek Oswalt Special Teams Assistant & Video Coordinator


5. Can the Lions stop practicing at Hjorth park as it's not optimum? Not sure if Binnie next to the Lions field is due to re-turf.

[Hambone]

I’ll add to my fire Phillips post…..

And please get rid of those ugly uniforms.

Tell that to Mrs. Doman. Wasn't she quite involved in the design? Amar knows happy wife = happy life.

[cromartie]

Now that Buck Pierce is head coach of the BC Lions, will you have any personal biases based on his former stint with the Lions as a player? In Lions history, the Lions had a handful of ex-Lions players how later on served as a coach and possibly management so far, they didn't do all that well using these examples:

1. As a QB Joe Kapp led the Lions to their first Grey Cup appearance in 1963 and win 1964 and is part of the Ring of Honour so that's self-explanatory. But as General Manager in 1990, despite bringing in Doug Flutie the team was in turmoil and he was fired after 11 games.

2. Joe Paopao played as QB for the Lions and had some good parts. But didn't do all that well as head coach in 1996 and had short stints as an assistant coach.

3. Jacques Chapdelaine has been the scapegoat for the 1983 GC loss and got countless criticisms as offensive coordinator.

As a player, were your memories of Buck Pierce more positive or negative?

I don't think what you're citing is unique to someone being a former player. The hubris of Chap and the Paopao inability to lead (being more of a play designer) aren't unique to them having been Lions prior to starting their coaching career.

[B.C.FAN]

Chance s of retaining Jordyn Maksymic look slim. According to J.C. Abbott, Pierce was coy about his staff at his introductory press conference but confirmed that he will call the plays.