Buck Pierce facts for kids
| BC Lions | |
Pierce with the Blue Bombers in 2022
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| Born: | November 15, 1981 Hutchinson, Kansas, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| CFL status | International |
| Position(s) | Head coach Offensive coordinator |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Weight | 195 lb (88 kg) |
| College | New Mexico State |
| High school | Crescent City (CA) Del Norte |
| Hand | Right |
| Career history | |
| As coach | |
| 2014–2015 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers (RB) |
| 2016–2019 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers (QB) |
| 2020–2024 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers (OC) |
| 2025–present | BC Lions (HC/OC) |
| As player | |
| 2005–2009 | BC Lions |
| 2010–2013 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| 2013 | BC Lions |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Career stats | |
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Buck James Pierce (born November 15, 1981) is an American football coach. He is currently the head coach and offensive coordinator for the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Before becoming a coach, he was a professional quarterback for nine seasons. He played for both the BC Lions and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Buck Pierce started his playing career with the BC Lions. Later, he joined the Blue Bombers. In 2013, he returned to the Lions after a trade. He played in two Grey Cup championship games, winning one in 2006. As a coach, he also helped the Winnipeg Blue Bombers win two more Grey Cups in 2019 and 2021. He played college football at New Mexico State.
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Early Life and High School Football
Buck Pierce grew up in Crescent City, California. His parents are Tim and Connie Pierce. He went to Del Norte High School. He was the starting quarterback for three years there. During his junior and senior years, he led his team to a great 16-4 record.
In 1999, as a senior, he threw for 2,225 yards and 25 touchdowns. This earned him the Big 5 Conference Most Valuable Player award for the second year in a row. He broke school records for both passing yards and touchdowns. He also played basketball and was a starting guard. He even qualified for a state track meet in long jump!
College Days
After high school, Pierce went to New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He studied kinesiology, which is the study of how the body moves. In 2001, he had an amazing 75-yard run on his very first play in college. He was known for not throwing many interceptions.
He wore jersey number 11. He became the main starting quarterback in his senior year, 2004. He was always a very efficient quarterback during his college career.
Playing in the CFL
Time with the BC Lions
Buck Pierce joined the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League in May 2005. He started as the third-string quarterback. His first CFL game was on August 19, 2005. He threw his first touchdown pass in that game.
In 2006, he became the backup quarterback. When the starter got injured, Buck stepped up. He won his first CFL game as a starter. He had a great season, completing 73.7% of his passes. The Lions won the 94th Grey Cup that year, and Buck was part of the championship team.
In 2007, the starting quarterback was injured again. Buck became the starter once more. He played through many injuries, earning the nickname "walking bruise." Despite his injuries, he helped the Lions have a fantastic 14-3-1 record.
In 2008, Buck became the official starting quarterback for the Lions. He led the team to the West Final playoffs. However, injuries continued to affect him in 2009. He missed several games due to concussions and shoulder problems. On March 9, 2010, the BC Lions released Buck Pierce.
Playing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Buck Pierce then signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on April 12, 2010. He started their first game of the season. He continued to face injuries, playing in only five games that year. Despite this, the Blue Bombers trusted him as their main quarterback.
The 2011 Winnipeg Blue Bombers season started with high hopes. Buck's health was a big question mark, but he stayed healthy enough to play most of the season. The team started strong with a 7-1 record. Even though his personal stats weren't the best, he showed he could lead the team to wins.
In the 2012 Winnipeg Blue Bombers season, Buck got a leg injury and missed games. Later, he suffered a concussion. He only played in 7 out of 18 games that season. The Blue Bombers did not make the playoffs that year. By 2013, he lost his starting job to younger quarterbacks.
Back to the BC Lions
On September 8, 2013, Buck Pierce was traded back to the BC Lions. He played in five more games for them. After a nine-year career in the CFL, Buck Pierce announced his retirement from playing football on March 4, 2014.
Coaching Career
Coaching the Blue Bombers
Just three days after retiring as a player, Buck Pierce began his coaching career. He became the running backs coach for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in March 2014. He held this role for two seasons. In 2016, he became the team's quarterbacks coach.
As the quarterbacks coach, he helped lead the Blue Bombers to a Grey Cup victory in 2019. On January 21, 2020, Buck Pierce was promoted to offensive coordinator for the Blue Bombers. Even though the 2020 CFL season was cancelled, his offense helped the team win the 108th Grey Cup in 2021. Under his leadership, the Blue Bombers reached the Grey Cup championship game for four seasons in a row, winning once.
Becoming Head Coach of the BC Lions
On December 3, 2024, Buck Pierce was named the head coach of the BC Lions. This was a big step, making him the 28th head coach in the team's history. It was also confirmed that he would continue to serve as the team's offensive coordinator.
Life Off the Field
Buck Pierce lives in Winnipeg with his wife. They have a daughter who was born in 2015. He used to own a barbeque restaurant, but it closed in 2015.
Images for kids
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Pierce playing for the BC Lions in 2007
