Richie Hall facts for kids
| Winnipeg Blue Bombers | |
Hall in 2007
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| Born: | October 4, 1960 San Antonio, Texas, U.S. |
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| Career information | |
| CFL status | International |
| Position(s) | Defensive coach |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Weight | 160 lb (73 kg) |
| College | Colorado State |
| Career history | |
| As coach | |
| 1994–2000 | Saskatchewan Roughriders (Defensive Secondary) |
| 2001–2008 | Saskatchewan Roughriders (Defensive coordinator) |
| 2009–2010 | Edmonton Eskimos (Head coach) |
| 2010 | Edmonton Eskimos (Defensive coordinator) |
| 2011–2014 | Saskatchewan Roughriders (Defensive coordinator) |
| 2015–2023 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers (Defensive coordinator) |
| 2024–present | Winnipeg Blue Bombers (Defensive coach) |
| As player | |
| 1983–1987 | Calgary Stampeders |
| 1988–1991 | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| CFL All-Star | 1983 |
| CFL West All-Star | 1983, 1986, 1988, 1990 |
| Awards | Tom Pate Memorial Award (1990) |
Richie Hall, born on October 4, 1960, is a well-known coach in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He works as a defensive assistant coach for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Before coaching, Hall was a professional Canadian football player. He played for nine seasons as a defensive back. He played for the Calgary Stampeders and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He was named a CFL All-Star in 1983. He was also a four-time divisional All-Star.
Richie Hall has won the Grey Cup five times. He won once as a player and four times as a defensive coordinator. He also served as the head coach for the Edmonton Eskimos from 2009 to 2010.
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Richie Hall's Early Life
Richie Hall was born in San Antonio, Texas, on October 4, 1960. When he was a child, he was in a car accident. He was thrown through the car's windshield. This accident almost took his life. It left him with lasting scars above his right eye.
Even though he was only about 5 feet 6 inches tall, he was a star athlete in high school. He played both offense and defense in American football.
College Football Career
Richie Hall went to Colorado State University. He joined the Rams football team as a "walk-on" player. This means he joined without a scholarship. He played for the Rams from 1980 to 1982. While in college, he studied social work.
Playing Professional Football
Playing for the Calgary Stampeders
Richie Hall started his professional career in May 1983. He signed with the Calgary Stampeders. In his first year, he was named a CFL All-Star. He played in 16 games as a defensive back. He caught four interceptions and recovered two fumbles.
He also helped on special teams. He returned 50 punts for 561 yards. One of these punt returns was for a touchdown. In 1986, he was named a West Division All-Star. That year, he had four sacks and eight interceptions.
Playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
In May 1988, Hall was traded to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He quickly became a star for them too. He was a West Division All-Star in 1988 and 1990. In 1989, he won his first Grey Cup championship as a player. This was the 77th Grey Cup.
Overall, Richie Hall played in 153 regular-season games. He played from 1983 to 1991. He was a defensive back and a punt returner. He was a four-time West Division All-Star. He was also a League All-Star in 1983. In 1990, he received the Tom Pate Memorial Award. This award recognizes players who show great sportsmanship and contribute to their team and community.
After his playing career, Hall used his social work degree. He worked at a school for kids who needed extra support. He also coached high school football in Regina in 1993. Soon after, he began his professional coaching career.
Coaching in the CFL
Coaching the Saskatchewan Roughriders
In 1994, the Saskatchewan Roughriders hired Richie Hall. He started by coaching their defensive backs. By 2000, he had become the team's defensive coordinator. He became known as one of the best defensive minds in the CFL. He was the Roughriders' defensive coordinator for eight years. During this time, they won the 95th Grey Cup in 2007.
His defense in 2008 was very strong. It allowed the fewest yards per game in the league. It was also second best at stopping passing plays.
Coaching the Edmonton Eskimos
Richie Hall had interviewed for several head coaching jobs. On December 17, 2008, he was hired as the head coach for the Edmonton Eskimos. He was the first black head coach in the team's history. The Eskimos' General Manager, Danny Maciocia, asked his quarterbacks who the toughest defensive coordinator they faced was. They all said Richie Hall.
Hall wanted his players to enjoy the game. He also wanted them to work hard and appreciate everything. He said, "I want our players to have a selfless attitude. I want them to be there for each other." He believed football could teach them how to live their lives.
Hall was the Eskimos' head coach for two seasons. On November 12, 2010, he was let go from the head coach position.
Returning to the Saskatchewan Roughriders
On February 1, 2011, Richie Hall went back to the Roughriders. He rejoined them as their defensive coordinator. He helped the team win his third Grey Cup in 2013. This was the 101st Grey Cup.
Coaching the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
On January 20, 2015, Hall was hired by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He became their defensive coordinator. After missing the playoffs in 2015, the Blue Bombers made the playoffs every year with Hall as defensive coordinator. They played in four Grey Cups in a row. They won two championships, the 2019 and 2021 Grey Cups.
On January 8, 2024, it was announced that Jordan Younger would become the new defensive coordinator. However, Richie Hall stayed on the defensive coaching staff.
