Mark Kilam has been employed as the brand new head coach of the Edmonton Elks, the staff introduced Monday.
Kilam, a College of Alberta graduate, returns to Edmonton after spending 20 years with the Calgary Stampeders, the place he held numerous teaching roles, together with particular groups coordinator since 2010.
“It is an honour and a privilege to be named head coach of the Edmonton Elks and I am extremely excited to place our imaginative and prescient into motion,” Kilam mentioned in an announcement. “The EE are an icon of the CFL and I could not be extra proud to signify the Inexperienced and Gold, Edmonton, and all of northern Alberta.
“I am wanting ahead to connecting with the gamers and the neighborhood. I am unable to wait to get to work and start laying the inspiration for fulfillment.”
Kilam will probably be formally launched at a information convention later Monday at Commonwealth Stadium. He is the twenty fifth head coach in franchise historical past.
“Mark has been making ready for the chance to be a CFL head coach for years and brings not solely a wealth of expertise however large enthusiasm to all the pieces he does,” mentioned Elks normal supervisor Ed Hervey. “Gamers need to play for Mark, and coaches throughout the league respect his skills and method.
“We’re all excited to learn from Mark’s power and the collective power of the teaching employees we’re working to assemble. I do know he is the appropriate particular person for this job and this second, as we construct a championship group.”
The Edmonton-born Kilam replaces Jarious Jackson, who served as interim head coach after Chris Jones was let go after dropping 5 straight video games to start out the 2024 season.
Jackson stabilized the staff and led it to a 7-6 report the remainder of the best way — however it was not sufficient to problem for a playoff spot.
Kilam first served as a power and conditioning coach with the Stampeders in 2005. He steadily climbed the teaching ladder in Calgary over time, and had served as assistant head coach since 2019.
The 45-year-old was a part of Gray Cup championship groups in Calgary in 2008, 2014 and 2018.
The Edmonton native performed linebacker for the College of Alberta from 1997-2001 and was a staff captain for the Golden Bears.
