Thursday, February 9, 2012

Edmonton Eskimos
ESKS.com Staff

(Edmonton)  After helping engineer a remarkable turnaround in the team’s fortunes, Edmonton Eskimo Head Coach Kavis Reed has been nominated for the 2011 CFL Coach of the Year Award.

In his rookie season as a head coach, Reed guided the Eskimos to an 11–7 finish, good for second place in the CFL Western Division. A long time CFL assistant and former Eskimo defensive back, Reed made good on his goal of the Eskimos hosting a playoff game for the first time since 2004.

On being named a finalist, Reed says, “We didn’t accomplish everything we wanted to in 2011, but we made great strides and have laid the foundation for a successful future for the Eskimos. I would like to congratulate Paul LaPolice and Wally Buono for the tremendous jobs they did with their respective teams last season.”   

Hired in December 2010, Reed and General Manager Eric Tillman overhauled the roster, particularly on defence which was bolstered by the arrivals of Marcus Howard, Julius Williams and Rookie of the Year finalist, J.C. Sherritt. The Eskimos’ 5–0 start to the season was their best since 1980.

Eskimo General Manager Eric Tillman says, “We're proud of Kavis and the truly outstanding job he has done re-energizing the Edmonton Eskimos.  He's a superb leader, teacher, and communicator and those qualites were reflected in the success we enjoyed in 2011. Taking a club predicted by many to finish last and then to win 11 regular season games and advance to the Western Final against the eventual Grey Cup champions, makes Kavis a very deserving nominee.”

Since the award was introduced in 1961 just four Eskimo head coaches have won the coveted prize – Ray Jauch (1970), Hugh Campbell (1979), Ron Lancaster (1996) and Tom Higgins (2003).