Calgary Stampeders

Longtime CFL coach Mike Roach passes away at age 77

by
3Down Staff
December 18, 2020

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

The Calgary Stampeders have learned of the death of former coach Mike Roach.

He was 77 years old.

Roach was an assistant coach in the Canadian Football League for a total of 26 years including 10 years over three stints with the Stampeders – 1982-1985, 1998-2002 and 2004.

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He served as defensive coordinator for the Stamps’ Grey Cup championship teams in 1998 and 2001 and most recently served as a guest coach at Calgary’s training camp in 2012.

“Mike was an excellent coach and an even better man,” Stampeders president and general manager John Hufnagel said. “He made tremendous contributions to the Stamps and to the CFL and he will be missed. We express our condolences to his family and friends.”

A native of Rapid City, S.D., Roach was also part of coaching staffs in Edmonton, Ottawa, Winnipeg and B.C., winning Grey Cups with Edmonton in 1987 and with B.C. in 2006. After retiring from full-time coaching in 2009, Roach and his wife Kaye settled in Calgary.