Frank Clair | The Canadian Encyclopedia

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Frank Clair

Frank Clair, football coach (born 12 May 1917 in Hamilton, Ohio; died 3 April 2005 in Sarasota, Florida).

Frank Clair, football coach (born 12 May 1917 in Hamilton, Ohio; died 3 April 2005 in Sarasota, Florida). Clair was one of the most successful coaches in the history of the Canadian Football League. His teams made the playoffs in 17 of his 19 seasons, advanced to the conference final 12 times and appeared in six Grey Cup games, winning five times. He began his career as coach of the Toronto Argonauts from 1950 to 1954, and led them to Grey Cup victories in his first season and again in 1952.

In 1956, Clair joined the Ottawa Rough Riders and coached them for the next fourteen years, winning Grey Cups in 1960 and in his final two seasons in 1968 and 1969. He became the Ottawa Rough Riders' general manager in 1970 and held that position until 1978. In 1982, he became the chief scout for the Argos. Clair was twice honoured with the Annis Stukus Trophy as the CFL Coach of the Year (1966 and 1969). Clair was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and Museum in 1981. Lansdowne Park in Ottawa was renamed Frank Clair Stadium in his honour.

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