“His Legacy Will Live On”: Football Fraternity Wipes Tears as Former CFL Coach Passes Away at 74

The NFL community was met with somber tidings. Following the passing of former New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Steve Sidwell, another significant loss was felt in the football world. The news revealed the departure of a distinguished football coach celebrated for his groundbreaking match-defense tactics on the field. He breathed his last at the age of 74.

Regarded as one of the foremost defensive intellects in the league, this esteemed coach graced the Green and Gold franchise with his presence in three distinct periods throughout his illustrious career. Notably, he was an integral part of the 1993 Grey Cup Championship team during his tenure from 1991 to 1995. As the sun sets on this seasoned coach’s journey, the entirety of the NFL fraternity finds itself in a state of mourning for an irreplaceable loss.

Rich Stubler will be missed!

Football remained a constant in Rich Stubler’s life since the 1970s, with coaching roles spanning high school, U.S. college, and the CFL. Tragically, at the age of 74, Born in 1949, Stubler passed away on Sunday, the cause of death remaining undisclosed. Notably, he had been serving as the defensive coordinator at Florida’s Clearwater Academy International for his second season.

In the wake of his departure, numerous individuals stepped forward to pay tribute and express their love for the coach who had left an indelible mark. Clearwater’s head coach, Jesse Chinchar, conveyed his sentiments through a message to The Canadian Press, stating, “Rich was an incredible coach and an even better person…Rich impacted so many people in his years of coaching and his legacy will live on in all that played for him and coached with him.”

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It’s worth noting that in the previous season, Stubler contributed to Clearwater’s consecutive state title victories. Chinchar also shared that his team would honor Rich Stubler’s memory throughout the ’23 season. He was a true football enthusiast.

Stubler lived and breathed football

Hailing from Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Stubler left an indelible mark on six distinct CFL teams with his coaching acumen. His journey in Canada began in 1983 when he assumed the role of defensive coordinator for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, a position he held until 1986. He further enriched his experience with spells at the Toronto Argonauts, Edmonton Elks, B.C. Lions, Calgary Stampeders, and Montreal Alouettes.

Throughout his career, Stubler displayed a penchant for returning to Edmonton and B.C., serving as either a defensive coordinator or a position coach. In 2021, Stubler’s final CFL involvement unfolded with the Toronto Argonauts, an apt conclusion to his legacy. Shifting gears, he embarked on a new chapter at Clearwater Academy International, an institution instrumental in nurturing Canadian talents for the NCAA. Notably, Stubler assumed the role of Edmonton’s defensive coordinator on three distinct occasions (1991-95, 1998-99, and 2011).

Calgary also witnessed his influence for two seasons, contributing to the team’s robust defensive performance. In both the 2014 and 2015 seasons, the club conceded a mere 347 and 346 points, respectively, securing a second-place finish in that defensive category.

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