EDMONTON – Mark Kilam has been hired as the new head coach of the Edmonton Elks, the team announced Monday.
Kilam, a University of Alberta graduate, returns to Edmonton after spending 20 years with the Calgary Stampeders, where he held various coaching roles, including special teams coordinator since 2010.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to be named head coach of the Edmonton Elks and I’m incredibly excited to put our vision into action,” Kilam said in a statement. “The EE are an icon of the CFL and I couldn’t be more proud to represent the Green and Gold, Edmonton, and all of northern Alberta.
“I’m looking forward to connecting with the players and the community. I can’t wait to get to work and begin laying the foundation for success.”
Kilam will be formally introduced at a news conference later Monday at Commonwealth Stadium. He’s the 25th head coach in franchise history.
“Mark has been preparing for the opportunity to be a CFL head coach for years and brings not only a wealth of experience but tremendous enthusiasm to everything he does,” said Elks general manager Ed Hervey. “Players want to play for Mark, and coaches across the league respect his abilities and approach.
“We’re all excited to benefit from Mark’s energy and the collective strength of the coaching staff we’re working to assemble. I know he’s the right person for this job and this moment, as we build a championship organization.”
The Edmonton-born Kilam replaces Jarious Jackson, who served as interim head coach after Chris Jones was let go after losing five straight games to start the 2024 season.
Jackson stabilized the team and led it to a 7-6 record the rest of the way — but it was not enough to challenge for a playoff spot.
Kilam first served as a strength and conditioning coach with the Stampeders in 2005. He steadily climbed the coaching ladder in Calgary over the years, and had served as assistant head coach since 2019.
The 45-year-old was part of Grey Cup championship teams in Calgary in 2008, 2014 and 2018.
The Edmonton native played linebacker for the University of Alberta from 1997-2001 and was a team captain for the Golden Bears.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 2, 2024.
