The Edmonton Elks have found their next head coach, hiring former Calgary Stampeders assistant Mark Kilam, 3DownNation reported Saturday.
Kilam spent 20 years with the Stampeders, 15 of those as special teams co-ordinator. Calgary fired him and defensive co-ordinator Brent Monson earlier in November.
During his time with the Stampeders, the 45-year-old captured three Grey Cups (2008, 2014, 2018) and reached the post-season in 18 straight seasons.
The Elks have been through a busy off-season so far, bringing back Ed Hervey as general manager and vice-president.
Hervey rejoined the Elks after four seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, including this past season as general manager. It was his third stint as a CFL GM, after four seasons in Edmonton (2013-16) and two years with the B.C. Lions (2018-19).
Kilam played linebacker for the Edmonton-based Alberta Golden Bears from 1997 to 2001. He then coached high school football at Cochrane High School before joining the Stampeders in 2005 as a strength and conditioning coach.
He eventually got promoted to special teams co-ordinator in 2009, where he held the role until the end of the 2024 season.
The Elks missed the playoffs this past season with a 7-11 record. Edmonton's last post-season appearance came in 2019.
The team fired coach and GM Chris Jones last summer after an 0-5 start. He was replaced as GM on an interim basis by Geroy Simon.
Jarious Jackson served as interim head coach and guided the team to a 7-6 record the rest of the way.
--With files from the Canadian Press.
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