2000

The B.C. Lions began the 2000 season with training camp in Chilliwack, and they had only one goal in mind: win the Grey Cup. Six months later, they would achieve that goal, but the path to it was one of the most adventurous, unpredictable and memorable ever in the Canadian Football League. The year started well enough with exciting victories over Hamilton and Saskatchewan, but a 35-2 loss to Calgary began a four-game losing streak and a lot of finger-pointing. A win over the Toronto Argonauts halted the slide, but following the game head coach Greg Mohns resigned to go to the XFL. Long-time CFL coach Steve Buratto, who joined the club only two weeks earlier as a receivers coach, was promoted to the top job, and got instant results with a huge 51-4 win over the Argos in the second of back-to-back games.

2001
Coming off a 2000 CFL title, expectations were high in 2001. But the club never seemed to gel. Quarterback Damon Allen struggled, and the team hovered around the .500 mark all season. Finishing at 8-10, the Lions did make the playoffs, but were immediately bounced by Calgary in the Western Division Semi-Final. Matt Kellett became only the second full-time field goal kicker in 26 years, as he replaced Lui Passaglia. Rookie middle linebacker Barrin Simpson led the team in tackles and was named a first-team All-Star as well as the CFL's Rookie of the Year. Cornerback Eric Carter was the only other Lion to be named to the League's All-Star team.

2002
After a subpar 2001 season, the B.C. Lions hopes for a turnaround season got off to a rocky start in 2002. After stumbling out of the gate with a 1-5 record, Head Coach Steve Burrato is relieved of his duties in favour of GM Adam Rita. The return of Adam Rita toi the coaching ranks seemed to rejuvenate the team as they would win eight of their following nine games after the change, including a huge 48-37 win over the previously unbeaten (and eventual Grey Cup Champion) Montreal Alouettes. However, instead of entering the playoffs riding on a hot streak, the team would cool off in their final three games dropping a pair of close games on the road in Saskatchewan and Calgary before returning home for the final game of the regular season and easily disposing of the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Jamie Taras night. Sitting third in the West with a 10-8 record, the Lions faced off against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Western Semi-Finals but were embarrassed by a final score of 30-3, the last game for both Jamie Taras and Sean Millington. The end of the season also saw the departure of Adam Rita, who was released by the team after six years and one Grey Cup. Rookie Jason Clermont capped off an impressive first season by capturing the Rookie of the Year Award, the first player from a Canadian University to do so in 11 years and the second consecutive Lion (Barrin Simpson won the award in 2001). Defense was clearly the name of the Game for the Lions in 2002. Linebackers Brendon Ayanbadejo and Barrin Simpson were named CFL All-Stars and fellow linebacker Carl Kidd was a Western Division All-Star. Together, the three were all ranked in the top eight in defensive tackles. Cornerback Eric Carter was also a CFL All-Star for the second consecutive year. But perhaps the biggest best news in 2002 came off the field with the return of Bob Ackles to the Lions. After spending time in the NFL and XFL, Ackles would return as President and CEO with the goal of rejuvenating the football market in B.C.

2003
Significant changes swept through the Lions both on the field and in the front office. The 2003 season saw the debut of Wally Buono, as General Manager and Head Coach. With Buono, the BC Lions have a proven winner at the head coaching position. In twelve years with the Calgary Stampeders, with the exception of his final year in 2002, Buono’s Stampeders have never finished lower than 2nd in the West and have won three Grey Cups and six Western Division Titles. With Buono came new faces on the coaching staff as well as a new quarterback in Dave Dickenson, who returned from a two-year stint in the NFL. Dickenson had a strong season, being named West Division Most Outstanding Player, before going down with a knee injury prior to the playoffs. The Lions finish 11-7 on the season but lose out in a three-way tiebreaker for second place between Winnipeg and Saskatchewan and as a result, are forced to fly out East to face the Toronto Argonauts and their new quarterback Damon Allen in the Eastern Semi-Finals. With Spergon Wynn at the helm, the Lions fight valiantly but are unable to overcome Toronto thus ending their season. Two other Lions besides Dickenson were honoured by the CFL in 2003 as Frank Cutolo took home the Most Outstanding Rookie Award (the third straight Lion to do so) while Steve Hardin is awarded the Tom Pate Memorial Award for outstanding community service. Unfortunately for Hardin, his 2003 season is limited to just one pre-season as he suffered an injury that forced to miss the entire season. Although his work in the community is definitely a bright light in his lost season, he may be best remembered for his appearance on Bob Barker’s The Price is Right game show. Other Lions to impress include Geroy Simon, Ray Jacobs, and Barrin Simpson, all who were named to the CFL All-Star Team.

2004
The year 2004 marked one of the Lions best regular season records in club history. Going 13-5, the 2004 Lions also set a team record for the most consecutive wins in a single season with eight. In addition to club records, the season brought an array of individual performances to the forefront. Quarterback Casey Printers set a CFL record for highest single game completion average of 90.9% (20-22) during the August 13 game against Hamilton. Not to be outdone, Geroy Simon tied three club records by receiving four touchdowns in that same game. After the conclusion of the regular season, Printers was deemed as the League's Most Outstanding Player while Jason Clermont won the Most Outstanding Canadian. The 2004 Lions, which featured three CFL All-Stars and eight Western Division All-Stars, won first place in the division, giving them a bye in the first round of the playoffs. In the Western Division Championship, the Lions faced one of their biggest rivals, the Saskatchewan Roughriders. In a nail biting finish, the Lions defeated the Roughriders by a score of 27 to 25 in overtime. The Lions were then pitted against the Toronto Argonauts in the Grey Cup Championship, a rematch from the 2003 semi-finals. The Lions would not exact their revenge, losing 27 to 19. Jason Clermont was a Grey Cup MVP, winning the Most Valuable Canadian award.

2005
Playing host to the Grey Cup would make 2005 a year full of promises and high expectations. The Lions roared out of the gate dismantling all eight of the CFL’s other teams en route to a perfect 11-0 start, conveniently shattering the team’s consecutive win streak (set just a previous season ago) as well as the record for best start to a season. While the quarterback controversy would be a hot topic amongst fans and media alike, the issue would not have to addressed by the team in the early going with the 2004 MVP Casey Printers on the sidelines with an injury. With Dave Dickenson at the helm primarily, the Leos’ passing attack would ultimately torch CFL rivals to the tune of 5,178 ytards and 33 touchdowns and pave the way to another first place finish in the West Division. But after bursting out of the gate, the Lions managed just one win in their final seven games thanks to a bevy of injuries including ones to Dave Dickenson and Mark Washington. However, the slump was not enough to topple the Lions’ regular season hold on top spot. The playoffs, however, were another story and even a late-game comeback wasn’t enough from preventing West Division rivals Edmonton Eskimos from crashing the hometown’s Grey Cup party with a 28-23 win, who would go on to win the Grey Cup in a thrilling double overtime match at BC Place against the Montreal Alouettes. On a positive note, the season did include numerous team and individual records including 11 consecutive wins. Three Lion receivers would hit the 1,000-yard mark with Geroy Simon (1,322), Jason Clermont (1,042) and Ryan Thelwell (1,035) all turning in outstanding seasons. Thelwell also earned West Division All-Star status. Defensive lineman Brent Johnson would enjoy a spectacular season with 17 sacks, West Division and CFL All-Star selections as well as being named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian. Otis Floyd would rack up 46 defensive tackles on his way to being named a West Division All-Star along with Barron Miles, who led the team with six interceptions. Kick returner Aaron Lockett led all CFL return men with 1,249 yards. Off the field, interest in the Lions was at a level not seen in nearly two decades thanks in part to the team’s on-field success coming off a Grey Cup appearance in 2004 and a spectacular start to the season.

2006

The 2006 season saw Casey Printers go off to the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs, however a new quarterback controversy of sorts threatened to develop. During the off-season 2005's third stringer, Buck Pierce won the back-up role and early season injuries to Dave Dickenson forced him into action. Pierce's best game as the starter was on October 6 against the Calgary Stampeders, where he threw 25 for 31 for 297 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. He began the game with one incomplete pass, and then hit his next 14. The Lions in the off-season also acquired former Roughrider Paul McCallum to stabilize the kicking game which had not recovered from Lui Passaglia's retirement in 2000. After a sluggish 2-3 start in 2006, Coach Buono signalled that no starting job was safe by releasing runningback Antonio Warren and defensive back Sam Young. The team responded by winning the next six games. New running back Joe Smith ran for over 100 yards in his first game. Brent Johnson, Barron Miles, and Mark Washington led a dominant defence, which itself saw 10 different defenders score touchdowns on turnovers.