Edmonton Elks name 3-time Grey Cup champion Chris Morris as president and CEO – Edmonton

Chris Morris has been appointed as the new president and chief executive of the Edmonton Elks, as announced by the CFL club on Wednesday.

Morris, who was an offensive lineman with Edmonton from 1992 to 2005, secured Grey Cup titles with the club in 1993, 2003, and 2005.

After spending the last 12 years as the head coach of the University of Alberta’s U Sports football team, Morris expressed his excitement about the new opportunity, stating, “This is a dream opportunity for me. As a proud EE Alum and passionate supporter of football in Northern Alberta, I know how much this club means to the community, and I look forward to continuing our tradition of giving back and winning football games.”

Morris takes the reins from Rick LeLacheur, who temporarily stepped in as president and CEO after the departure of Victor Cui in August 2023. LeLacheur will continue with the team as an adviser to owner Larry Thompson and as the club’s alternate governor.

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Victor Cui fired as president and CEO of Edmonton Elks football team

Morris’s initial responsibilities will involve determining the future of general manager Geroy Simon and head coach Jarious Jackson.

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Simon and Jackson took charge of the team temporarily after former head coach and GM Chris Jones was dismissed following an 0-5 start. The team saw a positive turnaround with a winning record (7-6) after the change.

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The team announced that Morris will be formally introduced in his new role at a press conference on Thursday. Originally from Toronto, Morris was a two-time All-Canadian while playing for the University of Toronto Varsity Blues.

Thompson described Morris as a “winner and a leader” during his time with Edmonton, where he was drafted eighth overall in the 1992 CFL draft.

“As a teacher, principal, and most recently coach of the Golden Bears, Chris has strived for excellence and commanded respect,” Thompson stated in a release.

“His connection to our past, leadership attributes, and understanding of what it takes to win made him the right choice to lead us into 2025 and beyond.”

Morris is taking on the challenge of leading a once-proud team that has faced struggles in recent years and has not made the playoffs since 2019.

Thompson was unveiled as the club’s first private owner in August, marking a shift from the team’s community-owned status since its establishment in 1949.

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