Former coach for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Dave Ritchie, has passed away at the age of 85, leaving behind a lasting legacy.
Today, the Winnipeg Football Club mourns the loss of former Blue Bombers coach Dave Ritchie, who passed away at the age of 85.
📝 » https://t.co/tm5eemDbvy pic.twitter.com/PPn39bzmsY
— Winnipeg Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) March 9, 2024
Wade Miller, the president and CEO of the Blue Bombers, mentioned that Dave Ritchie was a respected leader during his time as head coach and in other coaching roles in the Canadian Football League, NCAA, and Europe.
The Winnipeg Football Club extends their deepest sympathies to Dave's family and friends, as well as his wife Sharon, as he had a strong passion for his players and teams and led them to great success.
Ritchie first joined the team in 1990 and worked under Mike Riley as a defensive line and special teams coach, contributing to the Grey Cup championship that year.
After leaving in 1991, he returned in 1999 as the head coach.
Bombers' former voice, Bob Irving, expressed being 'saddened' to hear about Ritchie’s passing on social media.
Saddened to hear of the passing of former Blue Bomber head coach Dave Ritchie. Dave ran the Bombers from 1999-2004 when Khari, Milt @ Chas Roberts were lighting up scoreboard. Dave is in the Blue Bomber and Cdn football halls of fame. Terrific coach and wonderful guy.
— Bob Irving (@BobIrvingCJOB) March 9, 2024
During Ritchie’s leadership from 1999 to 2004, the Bombers experienced a remarkable transformation, improving from a 3-15 record before he arrived in 1998 to a 6-12 record.
In 2000, the Bombers achieved a 7-10-1 record and secured a spot in the East Final, and later achieved a remarkable 14-4 record, clinching the divisional championship.
Ritchie’s leadership led to him being named the CFL’s Coach of the Year in 2001.
Randy Ambroise, the Commissioner of the CFL, described Ritchie as a 'truly inspiring human being' in a social media post on Saturday.
Dave was an incredible leader of men, a brilliant football mind and a truly inspiring human being. We are all fortunate to have met him and to have learned from him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and everyone who knew him. https://t.co/rt8nPbAiNo
— Randy Ambrosie (@RandyAmbrosie) March 9, 2024
During his time with the team, they achieved a record 52 wins, placing him fourth in coaching victories in the club’s history, following Bud Grant, Mike O’Shea, and Cal Murphy.
Additionally, Ritchie coached the B.C. Lions from 1993 to 1995, guiding them to a Grey Cup victory in 1994.
He later coached the Montreal Alouettes from 1997 to 1998, retiring with a total of 108 career wins, which ranks seventh in CFL history.
Finally, he was inducted into the Winnipeg Football Club Hall of Fame in 2014 and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2022.
