Maas, Kilam, Pierce named coach of year finalists

Edmonton's Mark Kilam, Montreal's Jason Maas and B.C.'s Buck Pierce are among the finalists for the CFL's Coach of the Year award, announced by the league on Friday. Kilam steered the Elks to a 13-5 record and first place in the Western division after previously finishing last in the division standings the previous season, marking his first as head coach.

Maas, a finalist for the third straight season, claimed the award in 2024 and led Montreal to first place in the Eastern division with a league-leading 14-4 record, including a perfect 9-0 home record. Pierce guided the Lions to second place in the Western division with a 10-8 record in his second season at the helm. The Football Reporters of Canada selected the finalists.

The winner will be revealed at the CFL Combine in Calgary from March 11 to 13. Corey Mace of the Saskatchewan Roughriders won the award last year. The CFL playoffs commence on Saturday with the Toronto Argonauts facing the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the East semifinal, followed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders playing in the West semifinal against the B.C. Lions. This report by The Canadian Press was originally published on October 30, 2026.