Vic Rapp
Encyclopedia
Vic Rapp is a former American and Canadian football coach who served as the head coach of the BC Lions
from 1977–1982.
, Rapp served as the Tigers
End coach from 1967-71. In 1972, he became the offensive coordinator of the Canadian Football League
's Edmonton Eskimos
. During his tenure in Edmonton, the Eskimos appeared in the Grey Cup four times; winning in 1975
. Rapp left Edmonton in 1977 to become the receivers coach at Miami
. Less than three weeks after accepting the Miami job, BC Lions' general manager Bob Ackles
hired Rapp to replace Cal Murphy
as Lions head coach.
. The Lions made the playoffs three times under Rapp, but never advanced past the Western Final. After six season in Vancouver without a championship, Ackles felt that Rapp would not be able to lead the Lions to a championship and fired him.
, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
, Detroit Lions
, Chicago Bears
, and Arizona Cardinals
. He spent one season as a scout for the Philadelphia Eagles
.
Rapp is currently retired and resides in Orlando, Florida
.
BC Lions
The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954...
from 1977–1982.
Early career
A graduate of the University of MissouriUniversity of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
, Rapp served as the Tigers
Missouri Tigers football
The Missouri Tigers football team represents the University of Missouri in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The team has competed in the North Division of the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996...
End coach from 1967-71. In 1972, he became the offensive coordinator 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....
's 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...
. During his tenure in Edmonton, the Eskimos appeared in the Grey Cup four times; winning in 1975
63rd Grey Cup
The 63rd Grey Cup was played on November 23, 1975 before 32,454 fans at McMahon Stadium at Calgary. The Edmonton Eskimos won an extremely close game, decided on the last play, against the Montreal Alouettes by the score 9 to 8.-Box Score:...
. Rapp left Edmonton in 1977 to become the receivers coach at Miami
Miami Hurricanes football
The Miami Hurricanes football program competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision for the University of Miami. The program began in 1926 and has won five AP national championships...
. Less than three weeks after accepting the Miami job, BC Lions' general manager Bob Ackles
Bob Ackles
Robin Ackles was a Canadian Football League executive for the BC Lions. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2002....
hired Rapp to replace Cal Murphy
Cal Murphy
Cal Murphy is a Scout for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. Murphy gained notoriety in the Canadian Football League as a coach and/or General Manager for nine Grey Cup Championship teams, earning a spot in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.-Early life:Murphy, one of seven...
as Lions head coach.
BC Lions
In his first season as Lions coach, Rapp lead the Lions to a 10-6 record and was named the Canadian Football League's Coach of the YearAnnis Stukus Trophy
The Annis Stukus Trophy is a Canadian Football League trophy, which is presented annually by the Edmonton Eskimos Alumni Association to the Coach of the Year, as determined by the members of the Football Reporters of Canada...
. The Lions made the playoffs three times under Rapp, but never advanced past the Western Final. After six season in Vancouver without a championship, Ackles felt that Rapp would not be able to lead the Lions to a championship and fired him.
Coaching record
| Team | |Regular Season | BC BC Lions The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954... |
1977 | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 2nd in West Division | 1 | 1 | Lost in West Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BC BC Lions The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954... |
1978 | 7 | 7 | 2 | .500 | 4th in West Division | 0 | 0 | Missed Playoffs | ||
| BC BC Lions The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954... |
1979 | 9 | 6 | 1 | .600 | 3rd in West Division | 0 | 1 | Lost in West Semifinal | ||
| BC BC Lions The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954... |
1980 | 8 | 7 | 1 | .533 | 4th in West Division | 0 | 0 | Missed Playoffs | ||
| BC BC Lions The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954... |
1981 | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 3rd in West Division | 1 | 1 | Lost in West Final | ||
| BC BC Lions The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team competing in the West Division of Canadian Football League . Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Lions play their home games at BC Place Stadium in Downtown Vancouver, having previously played at Empire Stadium in East Vancouver from 1954... |
1982 | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 4th in West Division | 0 | 0 | Missed Playoffs | ||
| Total | 53 | 39 | 4 | .576 | 2 | 3 |
Later career
After his firing, Rapp served as an assistant with the Houston Oilers, Los Angeles RamsSt. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
, Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He spent one season as a scout for the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Rapp is currently retired and resides in Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
.