Around the CFL: Hugh Campbell retires as Edmonton Eskimos CEO

By Fred Williams Oct 28, 2006, 17:00 GMT

Edmonton, AB - For 26 years, he was the face of the Edmonton Eskimos. But this week Hugh Campbell retired as the CFL club's chief executive officer.

Campbell led Edmonton to six straight Grey Cup appearances from 1977 to 1982, losing the first before capturing a CFL-record five straight league titles. He left to join the USFL's Los Angeles Express in '83, but the following season was named head coach of the NFL's Houston Oilers, eventually re-uniting with former Eskimos quarterback Warren Moon, who began his 23-year pro career in Canada.

Campbell remained with the Oilers for two years before returning to Edmonton as the club's general manager in 1986.

Campbell, 65, came to the CFL in 1963 as a receiver with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, helping the club win its first Grey Cup in 1966. He had 321 catches in six CFL seasons and was twice a league all-star before retiring in 1969 to become the head coach at Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington.

He returned to the CFL as Edmonton's head coach in '77, compiling an impressive 70-21-5 overall record. His .729 win percentage is the best in league history.

Campbell's next stop will be induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in Hamilton.

BIG CHANGES?: The Edmonton Eskimos ended their miserable season on a winning note Friday, downing the playoff-bound Saskatchewan Roughriders 20-18.

But for a number of aging veterans, it could've marked their last appearance in an Eskimos uniform.

The Eskimos finished last in the West Division standings this year with a 7-11 record, the first time in 35 years the club won't be in the CFL playoffs.

That has prompted much speculation of sweeping changes in Edmonton this offseason, meaning the likes of kicker Sean Fleming, 36, linebacker Singor Mobley, 34, and defensive backs Shannon Garrett, 34 and Donnie Brady, 33, could be on the way out.

Cornerback Malcolm Frank, 37, has already said he will retire in the offseason.

ATTENDANCE DIPS: It seems Hamilton Tiger-Cats fans didn't appreciate being forced to watch the CFL's worst team this year.

The Ticats finished with a league-worst 4-14 record, resulting in a dip in their attendance, a first in owner Bob Young's three-year tenure with the club.

The Ticats averaged 26,730 spectators this season, down from 28,002 in 2005. In 2004, Young's first season as at the club's owner, Hamilton's average attendance was 27,843 fans per game.

The year before Young owned the team, the Ticats averaged less than 14,000 fans per game

RANEK RELEASED: Josh Ranek's stay in Hamilton was a short one.

The Ticats released the veteran running back this week, less than a year after signing him as a free agent.

Ranek came to Hamilton having registered three straight 1,000-yard seasons with the Ottawa Renegades. But he only ran for 343 yards and no touchdowns with the Ticats, plagued this season by an assortment of injuries.

With Canadian Jesse Lumsden, along with Americans Corey Holmes and Anthony Davis, also at running back, the Ticats felt they were flushed with talent at the position, making Ranek expendable.

IMPRESSIVE RUN: Kevin Glenn isn't flashy and will never make Winnipeg Blue Bombers fans forget about the heady days when the likes of Dieter Brock and Matt Dunigan played quarterback for the club.

But Glenn has quietly done the job this season, compiling a 9-5 record as the Bombers starting quarterback and leading the club to the playoffs.

And if the Bombers can beat the B.C. Lions on Saturday night, they will finish second in the East Division and be the home team for the conference semifinal November 5.

PARKER RE-SIGNS: This week, the Toronto Argonauts ensured that their top pass defender will be sticking around.

The Argos signed cornerback Byron Parker to a contract extension that will keep him with the CFL club through the 2009 season. Parker has a team-high eight interceptions so far this year, returning them for a league-record 348 yards.

He has also taken four interceptions back for touchdowns, leaving him third in team scoring.

© 2006 The Sports Network