Richie Hall
Encyclopedia
Richie Hall is the defensive coordinator
for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
of the Canadian Football League
. He was formerly the head coach
of the Edmonton Eskimos
from 2009–2010.
He was a star two-way American football
player in high school despite his height of just 5 in 6 in (1.68 m).
player at Colorado State University
, where he majored in social work.
Hall originally signed with the Stampeders in May of 1983 and, in his rookie season, was a CFL All-Star defensive back
playing in 16 games recording four interception
s and two fumble
recoveries. He also returned 50 punts on special teams for 561 yards including one touchdown
and one kickoff return for 12 yards. He earned West Division
All-Star honours in the 1986 CFL season
for his defensive work recording 4 sacks, 8 interceptions for 116 yards, and 1 fumble recovery for 50 yards. He also returned 16 punts that year for 260 yards.
He was traded to the Roughriders in May of 1988 for a fourth-round pick in the 1989 CFL Draft
and returned as a 1988 CFL season
and 1990 CFL season
West Division
All-Star.
In all, he appeared in 153 career regular-season games between 1983 and 1991 playing both defensive back and punt returner
, was a four-time West Division
all-star, a League All-Star in 1983, a 77th Grey Cup
champion, and was selected for the Tom Pate Memorial Award
in 1990.
After being released by the Roughriders, Hall used his social work degree and got a job at Regina’s Cornwall Alternative School for high-risk kids and joined Regina's Archbishop M.C. O'Neill High School
football coaching staff in 1993 before embarking on his professional coaching career.
field and worked his way up to defensive coordinator
by 2000. He gained a reputation as one of the top minds for defensive schemes in the CFL and served as Saskatchewan's defensive coordinator for eight years including the 95th Grey Cup
victory for Saskatchewan in 2007. His 2008 Saskatchewan Roughriders
defence finished the season with the best in fewest yards allowed (354 per game), second in pass defence (266 yards per game) and fewest passing TDs allowed (28) and third in fewest TDs (44) and points allowed (25.1 per game).
Hall interviewed for at least seven head coaching positions beginning after the 2004 CFL season
and, on December 17, 2008, Hall was hired as the head coach for the Edmonton Eskimos, the first black head coach in the Edmonton Eskimos history. When looking for a new coach, Eskimos General Manager Danny Maciocia
said he asked his quarterbacks to name the toughest defensive co-ordinator they've played against and was given the unanimous response of Richie Hall.
Hall has said that he wants his players to enjoy the game, work hard, appreciate everything, and take nothing for granted. "I want our players to have a selfless attitude. I want them to be there for each other," Hall said. "I like to think football is a way for them to live their lives."
During his first training camp as head coach
, arguably the most competitive battle was between Tumbo Abanikanda
and Mark Restelli
for the starting weakside linebacker spot. Hall stated that he hoped the battle would end when,"one player outperforms the other player". Eventually, Abanikanda was released with Restelli winning the job.
On November 12, 2010, Hall was fired as the Eskimos head coach after two seasons coaching the team.
On February 1, 2011, it was announced that Hall had rejoined the Roughriders as their defensive coordinator.
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
. He was formerly the head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
of the Edmonton Eskimos
Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
from 2009–2010.
Early years
Hall was born October 4, 1960, in San Antonio, Texas. He was in a car accident as a child that catapulted him through the windshield of the car and nearly killed him, leaving him with permanent scars above his right eye.He was a star two-way American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player in high school despite his height of just 5 in 6 in (1.68 m).
Playing career
Hall was a walk on college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
player at Colorado State University
Colorado State University
Colorado State University is a public research university located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The university is the state's land grant university, and the flagship university of the Colorado State University System.The enrollment is approximately 29,932 students, including resident and...
, where he majored in social work.
Hall originally signed with the Stampeders in May of 1983 and, in his rookie season, was a CFL All-Star defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
playing in 16 games recording four interception
Interception (football)
An interception, intercept or pick is a move in many forms of football, including Canadian and American football, as well as rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules football and Gaelic football, which involves a pass, either by foot or hand, being caught by an opposition player, who usually...
s and two fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
recoveries. He also returned 50 punts on special teams for 561 yards including one touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
and one kickoff return for 12 yards. He earned West Division
Canadian Football League West Division
The West Division is one of the two regional divisions of the Canadian Football League. Although the CFL was not founded until 1958, the West Division and its clubs are descended from earlier leagues.-Pre-1936:...
All-Star honours in the 1986 CFL season
1986 CFL season
The 1986 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 33rd season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 29th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 1986:...
for his defensive work recording 4 sacks, 8 interceptions for 116 yards, and 1 fumble recovery for 50 yards. He also returned 16 punts that year for 260 yards.
He was traded to the Roughriders in May of 1988 for a fourth-round pick in the 1989 CFL Draft
1989 CFL Draft
The 1989 CFL Draft saw the Ottawa Rough Riders draft first overall after posting the worst record in the CFL in 1988 at 2–16. Meanwhile, the Grey Cup champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers had the last selection in the first round. This draft consisted of eight rounds and 64 selections.-1st Round:1.Ottawa...
and returned as a 1988 CFL season
1988 CFL season
The 1988 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 35th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 31st Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 1988:...
and 1990 CFL season
1990 CFL season
The 1990 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 37th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 33rd Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 1990:J...
West Division
Canadian Football League West Division
The West Division is one of the two regional divisions of the Canadian Football League. Although the CFL was not founded until 1958, the West Division and its clubs are descended from earlier leagues.-Pre-1936:...
All-Star.
In all, he appeared in 153 career regular-season games between 1983 and 1991 playing both defensive back and punt returner
Punt returner
Punt returner is a position on special teams in American football.-Description:The role of a punt returner is to catch the ball after it is punted and to give his team good field position by returning it. Before catching the punted ball, the returner must assess the situation on the field while...
, was a four-time West Division
Canadian Football League West Division
The West Division is one of the two regional divisions of the Canadian Football League. Although the CFL was not founded until 1958, the West Division and its clubs are descended from earlier leagues.-Pre-1936:...
all-star, a League All-Star in 1983, a 77th Grey Cup
77th Grey Cup
The 77th Grey Cup was the 1989 Canadian Football League championship game played between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at SkyDome in Toronto, ON. The Roughriders defeated the Tiger-Cats, 43-40 on Dave Ridgway's winning field-goal...
champion, and was selected for the Tom Pate Memorial Award
Tom Pate Memorial Award
Every year the Canadian Football League Players' Association presents the Tom Pate Award. It is not a "Jock Award," but rather an award given to players who display qualities that distinguish them from their peers....
in 1990.
After being released by the Roughriders, Hall used his social work degree and got a job at Regina’s Cornwall Alternative School for high-risk kids and joined Regina's Archbishop M.C. O'Neill High School
Archbishop M.C. O'Neill High School
Archbishop M.C. O'Neill High School is a Catholic secondary education institute located in the Coronation Park neighbourhood of north Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. It is officially designated as a community school. The student population is made up of individuals from the north, west, and central...
football coaching staff in 1993 before embarking on his professional coaching career.
Coaching career
In 1994, Hall was hired by the Roughriders to coach their defensive backDefensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
field and worked his way up to defensive coordinator
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
by 2000. He gained a reputation as one of the top minds for defensive schemes in the CFL and served as Saskatchewan's defensive coordinator for eight years including the 95th Grey Cup
95th Grey Cup
The 95th Grey Cup was held in Toronto at the Rogers Centre on November 25, 2007. The Grey Cup, first awarded in 1909, is the championship game of the Canadian Football League. It was played between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, with the Roughriders winning 23-19...
victory for Saskatchewan in 2007. His 2008 Saskatchewan Roughriders
2008 Saskatchewan Roughriders season
The 2008 Saskatchewan Roughriders finished in 2nd place in the West division with a 12–6 record for the second consecutive year. It was their 51st season in the Canadian Football League...
defence finished the season with the best in fewest yards allowed (354 per game), second in pass defence (266 yards per game) and fewest passing TDs allowed (28) and third in fewest TDs (44) and points allowed (25.1 per game).
Hall interviewed for at least seven head coaching positions beginning after the 2004 CFL season
2004 CFL season
The 2004 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 51st season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 47th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 2004:...
and, on December 17, 2008, Hall was hired as the head coach for the Edmonton Eskimos, the first black head coach in the Edmonton Eskimos history. When looking for a new coach, Eskimos General Manager Danny Maciocia
Danny Maciocia
Danny Maciocia is the head coach of the Université de Montréal Carabins football team. He is also the former general manager & director of football operations of the Canadian Football League's Edmonton Eskimos and former offensive coordinator with the André-Grasset Phénix, a CEGEP team in...
said he asked his quarterbacks to name the toughest defensive co-ordinator they've played against and was given the unanimous response of Richie Hall.
Hall has said that he wants his players to enjoy the game, work hard, appreciate everything, and take nothing for granted. "I want our players to have a selfless attitude. I want them to be there for each other," Hall said. "I like to think football is a way for them to live their lives."
During his first training camp as head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
, arguably the most competitive battle was between Tumbo Abanikanda
Tumbo Abanikanda
Tokumbo "Tumbo" Abanikanda is a professional American and Canadian football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos as a street free agent in 2009. He played college football for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles.-Early years:Abanikanda attended...
and Mark Restelli
Mark Restelli
Mark Restelli is a professional Canadian football linebacker for the Edmonton Eskimos. He was signed by the Eskimos as a street free agent in 2009 and played until he was signed by the Dolphins in 2011. On September 4, 2011 he was released by the Dolphins during their final roster cuts...
for the starting weakside linebacker spot. Hall stated that he hoped the battle would end when,"one player outperforms the other player". Eventually, Abanikanda was released with Restelli winning the job.
On November 12, 2010, Hall was fired as the Eskimos head coach after two seasons coaching the team.
On February 1, 2011, it was announced that Hall had rejoined the Roughriders as their defensive coordinator.
CFL coaching record
| Team | |Regular Season | EDM 2009 Edmonton Eskimos season The Edmonton Eskimos season was the 52nd season for the team in the Canadian Football League and their 61st overall. The Eskimos finished the season in third place with a 9–9 record. They appeared in the West Semi-Final where they lost to the Calgary Stampeders.- CFL Draft :The 2009 CFL Draft took... |
2009 2009 CFL season The 2009 CFL season was the 56th season of modern professional Canadian football. Officially, it was the 52nd season of the Canadian Football League. The Montreal Alouettes won the 97th Grey Cup on November 29 with a last second 28–27 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders... |
9 | 9 | 0 | .500 | 3rd in West Division | 0 | 1 | Lost West Semi-Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDM 2010 Edmonton Eskimos season The Edmonton Eskimos season was the 53rd season for the team in the Canadian Football League and their 62nd overall. After the Eskimos lost the final game of the season, they were eliminated from playoff contention, despite winning five of their last seven games.This is also the first time since... |
2010 2010 CFL season The 2010 CFL season is the 57th season of modern Canadian professional football. Officially, it is the 53rd season of the league. Edmonton is scheduled to host the 98th Grey Cup on November 28... |
7 | 11 | 0 | .388 | 4th in West Division | – | – | Missed Playoffs | ||
| Total | 16 | 20 | 0 | .444 | 0 West Division Championships |
0 | 1 | 0 Grey Cups | |||