Mississauga – The Toronto
Argonauts Football Club is pleased to announce that it has extended the
contract of General Manager/Vice President, Football Operations, Adam Rita through the 2010 season.
One
of the most recognized faces – and haircuts – in the Canadian Football League, Adam Rita is entering his fifth season as the
Argonauts’ GM/Vice President, Football Operations after spending 2003 as the
Club’s Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator. With over twenty years
of experience in the CFL and six Grey Cup wins, Rita is a football executive of
incredible depth and experience. In 2004, his first year in his current
role, he led the Double Blue to its first Grey Cup win since 1997.
Commented Rita, “I’m very excited to continue my work with the Argos. We have a great
ownership team with David Cynamon and Howard Sokolowski and we have put together a remarkable football
team with some great new changes. I’m looking forward to seeing our new
coaching team, led by Head Coach Rich Stubler, in action. Combined with our management team of Michael Clemons and Brad Watters, we
are destined for greatness this season. Toronto is a fantastic city with the best fans
and it is exactly where I want to be and where I want to finish my career.”
Toronto
Argonauts CEO Michael Clemons
remarked, “Adam’s resume is replete with excellence, showcasing Grey Cup
appearances and victories. As an Argonaut, he has become the symbol of
competence and stability, anchoring the most consistent team in the East.
With all he’s achieved, football doesn’t define him. In fact, his
gridiron greatness is a by-product of his outstanding character. By
extending Adam Rita, we’re a better
team today and tomorrow.”
Named
CFL Coach of the Year in 1991, Rita took the Toronto Argonauts to the Grey Cup
Championship after a season that saw the team set a league-best record of 13
wins and 5 losses. In 1993, with the Edmonton Eskimos, Rita took home Grey Cup
honours as Offensive Coordinator. From 1997 to 2002, he served in various
managerial positions with the B.C. Lions and was the club’s General Manager in
2000 as they brought home the 88th Grey Cup.
Raised on the Hawaiian island
of Kauai, Rita first broke into the
professional coaching ranks in 1983 as an Offensive Coordinator with the B.C.
Lions under Don Matthews after 12 years spent coaching at the college level
with his alma mater Boise State University,
the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and the University of Hawaii.
After two short seasons in B.C., Rita’s offence led the Lions to their first
Grey Cup win since 1964, a 37-24 win over Hamilton.
After spending one season with the UBC Thunderbirds in 1989, Rita returned to
the CFL, leading the offence of the Toronto Argonauts under Matthews.
Rita replaced Matthews as Head Coach in 1991, leading the team to a league-best
record of 13-5 and his first Grey Cup Championship as a Head Coach.
In 1993, Rita won his third championship as the Offensive Coordinator of the
Edmonton Eskimos under Ron Lancaster before splitting the next two seasons with
Ottawa and the
Memphis Mad Dogs. Rita reunited with Don Matthews in Toronto in 1996, capturing another
championship trophy with Doug Flutie as quarterback. Rita made his return
to the Lions as head coach in 1997 and was named the CFLPA’s Coach of the Year.