(Vancouver) The roar from Abbotsford and BC Lions training camp just got louder as the club officially announced today that former Leo linebacker Carl Kidd will rejoin the team as a guest coach along with CFL-great James ‘Quick’ Parker. Kidd and Parker will also be joined by Art Edgson, Pat Gregory and Doug Geiser.

A leader in the Lions locker room during his seven seasons in Black and Orange (2000-06), Kidd concluded his career as the club’s second all-time leader in total tackles (368) and shares the club record for interceptions returned for touchdowns (5).  Carl was two-time West Division All-Star (2002, 2006) and helped lead the Lions to two Grey Cup victories in 2000 and 2006. Kidd will work specifically with nickel backs Jerome Dennis and B.J. Tucker.

Parker rejoins the Lions as a training camp guest coach, assisting defensive line coach Mike Roach. A former CFL All-Star defensive end and linebacker, Parker began his CFL career with the Edmonton Eskimos in 1980, leading the league in sacks for two consecutive seasons (1981-82) before joining the Lions  from 1984-89. A five-time CFL All-Star and four-time Grey Cup champion, Parker holds the record for sacks in a season (26.5) and was twice honoured as the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player (1984, 1986). 

Parker concluded his career with the Toronto Argonauts (1990-91) and was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2001.

Edgson returns for his sixth training camp stint with the Lions and will assist defensive backs coach Mark Washington with the team’s secondary. Art played alongside Wally Buono at Idaho State University and with the Montreal Alouettes where they won a Grey Cup in 1974. Edgson has also served as a guest coach with the Calgary Stampeders from 2001-2003. Following his playing career, Art attended law school at BYU and has enjoyed a successful practice in Vancouver since 1980.

Gregory enters his seventh season as offensive coordinator and receivers coach at the University of Montreal. Prior to that posting, Pat spent seven seasons at Concordia University as the school’s receivers coach (’95-’99) and offensive coordinator (‘01-’02). Pat has also been actively involved in Quebec Football’s under-20 and under-17 teams as well as Canada’s World Junior squad. As a player, Gregory was a CIS All-Star twice while attending Bishop’s University from 1988 to 1991.

Geiser returns for his second stint at Lions training camp after wrapping a successful fifth season as Ashland University’s offensive line coach and running game coordinator, as well as the school’s strength and conditioning coordinator.  Last season, the Eagles established single-season school records for total offense and points while leading the country in fewest turnovers.  Geiser will assist Lions offensive coordinator and O-line coach Dan Dorazio.