1960
Despite the addition of rookie talent Steve Cotter, Lonnie Dennis, Jim Catphin and Neal Beaumont, the high hopes faded as the team finished 5-9-2, and out of playoff contention. Beaumont won Rookie-of-the-Year honours in the WIFU, to become the Lions first major award winner.

1961
The year started with a major recruiting coup when Minnesota's Tom Brown was signed, but hard times on the field continued. In September, a bold gamble saw a major trade that sent four players to Calgary for quarterback Joe Kapp. A week after the trade, a coaching change was made as assistant Dave Skrien stepped up to replace Robinson. The year ended with a dismal 1-13-2 record.

1962
Dave Skrien took over as the team's head coach midway though the '61 season, and he would immediately begin to turn the clubs' fortunes around. He would serve as the Leos' bench boss until 1967, and although the team finished 7-9 in '62, there was noticeable improvement. After eight years of hard work, the Lions were on the verge of success for the first time.

1963
Following a year of improvement in all regards in 1962, new optimism was voiced about the Lions actually having a chance to make it to the Grey Cup game, which was to be played at Empire Stadium. With a great season from a veteran roster headlined by Kapp and Fleming, the Lions 12-4 record gave them first place (for the first time) and a 2-1 series victory over Saskatchewan put them in the Grey Cup. With injuries going in, and star player Fleming sent to the sidelines early by Angelo Mosca, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats took home the prize with a 21-10 victory, but the fans knew they would meet again. Tom Brown became the first Lion to win a Schenley award, winning the Defensive Player-of-the-Year award.

Following an 11-2-3 season the Lions returned to the Grey Cup against the Ti-Cats, this time in Toronto. A two-touchdown, two-way starring performance by Bill Munsey, app and Fleming, and a touchdown from the field goal unit led the Lions to a 34-24 victory that ended 11 seasons of waiting for the faithful fans of British Columbia. Tom Brown repeated his Schenley Award as Defensive Player of the Year and also won the Jeff Nickin trophy as Most Valuable Player in the West.

1965
After two consecutive Grey Cup appearances and one title, the Lions immediately receded back towards the basement of the West Division. By Bailey has left the team the previous off-season, and the team was aging. Finishing 5-11, Dave Skrien would never again experience the same success as he had as the Lions head coach a year earlier. Any hopes for a dynasty were quickly dashed.

1966
The situation went from bad to worse in '66, as the Leos won only one game for the first time since 1961. Things got so bad that Herb Capozzi, who had served as General Manager since 1957 and had taken the Lions to consecutive Grey Cups just two years earlier, was fired. Willie Fleming and Tom Hinton retired, and Joe Kapp left the team.

1967
Capozzi was replaced by Denny Vietch as General Manager for 1967, and after three games and three losses, Coach Dave Skrien was relieved and a game later Jim hampion named as new Head Coach. Rookie Ted Gerela impressed with his kicking, but a 3-12-1 year was still the result. Gerela was named Rookie of the Year, the only player to earn any award that year. Jim Young was the other rookie to impress this year.

1968
Jackie Parker joined the staff as an assistant, but the club lost seven games by less than a touchdown to finish 4-11-1 and out of the playoffs. Parker even unretired to suit up for 8 games during the year.

1969
After 11 games, with a 1-10 record, Coach Champion was replaced by assistant Jackie Parker. The team responded by winning four of their last five games, and with a 5-11 record took third place and made the playoffs. They lost to Calgary, but individually Dave Easley won Rookie of the Year honours, and Jim Young was a Schenley Finalist, losing out to Russ Jackson for Canadian Player of the Year honours.