Hall of Fame Coach Frank Clair – (May 12, 1917 – April 3, 2005)
We here at the REDBLACKS front office appreciate the history of the CFL in Ottawa and Ottawa Rough Riders’ fans will always remember the man known as “The Professor, Frank Clair”. He would have been 96 years old on May 12.
Former Ottawa Sun, sports editor Jane O’Hara described Clair as a no-nonsense, to-the-point type of gentleman who was short on smiles, always seen coaching his team wearing a snappy-brim fedora and standing poker-faced and erect on the sidelines.
Nicknamed “The Professor” for his skills at recognizing talent, teaching the game and his ability to get the most from players, Clair first came to Canada to coach the Toronto Argonauts in 1950 and ended that season with a Grey Cup championship; repeating with the Argos in 1952. He left the Argonauts following a salary dispute and ended up in Ottawa in 1956.
Over the next 14 seasons he coached the Riders to a 117-75 regular season record with 3 Grey Cup championships. He also won 2 Grey Cups in Ottawa as General Manager.
The REDBLACKS will pay tribute to Clair by erecting a statue in his honour at TD Place this fall.
Frank Clair is a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
CFHOF.ca
Photo: Scott Grant
| Team | Year | Regular Season | Post Season | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won | Lost | Ties | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Result | |||
| TOR | 1950 | 6 | 5 | 1 | .542 | 2nd in IRFU | 3 | 1 | Won Grey Cup | |
| TOR | 1951 | 7 | 5 | 0 | .583 | 3rd in IRFU | 1 | 1 | Lost in IRFU Semi-Finals | |
| TOR | 1952 | 7 | 4 | 1 | .625 | 2nd in IRFU | 4 | 1 | Won Grey Cup | |
| TOR | 1953 | 5 | 9 | 0 | .357 | 4th in IRFU | – | – | Missed Playoffs | |
| TOR | 1954 | 6 | 8 | 0 | .429 | 3rd in IRFU | – | – | Missed Playoffs | |
| TOR Total | 31 | 31 | 2 | .500 | 0 East Division Championships |
8 | 3 | 2 Grey Cups | ||
| OTT | 1956 | 7 | 7 | 0 | .500 | 3rd in IRFU | 0 | 1 | Lost in Division Semi-Finals | |
| OTT | 1957 | 8 | 6 | 0 | .571 | 2nd in IRFU | 0 | 1 | Lost in Division Semi-Finals | |
| OTT | 1958 | 6 | 8 | 0 | .429 | 3rd in IRFU Division | 1 | 2 | Lost in Division Finals | |
| OTT | 1959 | 8 | 6 | 0 | .571 | 2nd in East Division | 2 | 1 | Lost in Division Finals | |
| OTT | 1960 | 9 | 5 | 0 | .643 | 2nd in East Division | 4 | 0 | Won Grey Cup | |
| OTT | 1961 | 8 | 6 | 0 | .571 | 2nd in East Division | 0 | 1 | Lost in Division Semi-Finals | |
| OTT | 1962 | 6 | 7 | 1 | .464 | 2nd in East Division | 0 | 1 | Lost in Division Semi-Finals | |
| OTT | 1963 | 9 | 5 | 0 | .643 | 2nd in East Division | 2 | 1 | Lost in Division Finals | |
| OTT | 1964 | 8 | 5 | 1 | .607 | 2nd in East Division | 2 | 1 | Lost in Division Finals | |
| OTT | 1965 | 7 | 7 | 0 | .500 | 2nd in East Division | 1 | 2 | Lost in Division Finals | |
| OTT | 1966 | 11 | 3 | 0 | .786 | 1st in East Division | 2 | 1 | Lost Grey Cup | |
| OTT | 1967 | 9 | 4 | 1 | .679 | 2nd in East Division | 1 | 2 | Lost in Division Finals | |
| OTT | 1968 | 9 | 3 | 2 | .714 | 1st in East Division | 2 | 1 | Won Grey Cup | |
| OTT | 1969 | 11 | 3 | 0 | .786 | 1st in East Division | 2 | 1 | Won Grey Cup | |
| OTT Total | 116 | 75 | 5 | .605 | 3 East Division Championships |
19 | 16 | 3 Grey Cups | ||
| Total | 147 | 106 | 7 | .579 | 3 East Division Championships |
27 | 19 | 5 Grey Cups | ||
Table from Wikipedia.org
