DeVone Claybrooks

CALGARY — DeVone Claybrooks says his 2018 Grey Cup ring is still in its box. The new B.C. Lions head coach spent the previous decade in the Calgary Stampeders organization as a player, defensive line coach and defensive co-ordinator. Claybrooks won the second of his two Grey Cup rings as a Stampeder last year. He and other former Stamps now playing for the Lions received their 2018 rings prior to a pre-season game between the two clubs June 7 in Vancouver.

DeVone Claybrooks will forever be linked with fiery head coach Jon Gruden and Pro Football Hall of Fame players Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks. In 2002, the B.C. Lions head coach was a rookie defensive lineman with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who capped their season with 48-21 Super Bowl victory over the favoured Oakland Raiders.

The BC Lions have offered DeVone Claybrooks the head coaching job. Claybrooks spent the last three seasons as the Calgary Stampeders defensive coordinator. In all three seasons Claybrooks led the team’s defence, the Stampeders gave up the fewest points in the league. The team also made the Grey Cup all three seasons, winning the 106th Grey Cup this year. Claybrooks started his coaching career with Calgary as the defensive line coach.