Frank James Clair (May 12, 1917 – April 3, 2005) was an American gridiron football player, coach, and executive. Nicknamed "the Professor" for his ability to recognize and develop talent, he served as a head coach in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the Toronto Argonauts from 1950 to 1954 and the Ottawa Rough Riders from 1956 to 1969. Clair ranks third all-time in CFL history with 147 regular season wins and first in postseason victories with 27. He is also tied for the most Grey Cup championships won by a head coach with five. He won the Annis Stukus Trophy as the CFL's coach of the year in 1966 and 1969.
Playing career Clair played end for the Ohio State Buckeyes, lettering in 1938, 1939, and 1940. As a receiver, he was quarterback Don Scott's favorite target. In 1941, Clair played in seven games for the Washington Redskins.
Coaching career Clair found his greatest success in coaching. He was the head football coach at the University at Buffalo in 1948"1948 Buffalo Football," University at Buffalo Sports History Collection - January 29, 2014. and 1949."1949 Buffalo Football," University at Buffalo Sports History Collection - May 8, 2014. During the 1950s, he coached the Toronto Argonauts to two Grey Cups in 1950 and 1952.
In 1956, he joined the Ottawa Rough Riders. As coach, Clair led them to Grey Cup Championships in 1960, 1968 and 1969. After retiring from coaching following the 1969 season, became the team's general manager, where they won Grey Cups in 1973 and 1976. He was let go by the team in 1978. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1981.
The stadium at Lansdowne Park was renamed Frank Clair Stadium in his honour on April 8, 1993. He was inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. Clair lived in retirement at his home, and he died in Sarasota, Florida on April 3, 2005, In 2014, the stadium was renamed TD Place, and the operators erected a statue of Clair in his honour.
Head coaching record College
CFL Team Year Regular season PostseasonWonLostTiesWin %Finish Won Lost ResultTOR1950651.5422nd in IRFU 3 1 Won Grey CupTOR1951750.5833rd in IRFU 1 1 Lost in IRFU Semi-FinalsTOR1952741.6252nd in IRFU 4 1 Won Grey CupTOR1953590.3574th in IRFU - - Missed playoffsTOR1954680.4293rd in IRFU - - Missed playoffsTOR total31312.5000 East DivisionChampionships832 Grey CupsOTT1956770.5003rd in IRFU 0 1 Lost in Division Semi-FinalsOTT1957860.5712nd in IRFU 0 1 Lost in Division Semi-FinalsOTT1958680.4293rd in IRFU Division 1 2 Lost in Division FinalsOTT1959860.5712nd in East Division 2 1 Lost in Division FinalsOTT1960950.6432nd in East Division 4 0 Won Grey CupOTT1961860.5712nd in East Division 0 1 Lost in Division Semi-FinalsOTT1962671.4642nd in East Division 0 1 Lost in Division Semi-FinalsOTT1963950.6432nd in East Division 2 1 Lost in Division FinalsOTT1964851.6072nd in East Division 2 1 Lost in Division FinalsOTT1965770.5002nd in East Division 1 2 Lost in Division FinalsOTT19661130.7861st in East Division 2 1 Lost Grey CupOTT1967941.6792nd in East Division 1 2 Lost in Division FinalsOTT1968932.7141st in East Division 2 1 Won Grey CupOTT19691130.7861st in East Division 2 1 Won Grey CupOTT total116755.6053 East DivisionChampionships19163 Grey CupsTotal1471067.5793 East DivisionChampionships27195 Grey Cups
See also List of Canadian Football League head coaches by wins
References
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