A renowned football strategist with four decades of coaching experience, Rich Stubler returns to the BC Lions as defensive coordinator after stints with the Leos in 2000 and 2010.

Stubler comes to the Lions after spending the 2011 season as the defensive coordinator for the Edmonton Eskimos. Last season, the Eskimos’ defence ranked in the top three of 12 different statistical categories including interceptions (25-1st) and quarterback sacks (39-3rd).

Entering the CFL in 1983 as defensive coordinator for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Stubler helped lead the team to a Grey Cup Championship in 1986 - the first of four in his career to date.  In 1990, Stubler was named the Toronto Argonauts' defensive coordinator for one season before joining the Edmonton Eskimos’ coaching staff for five seasons (1991-95), where he would ultimately win his second league championship in 1993.  After a two-year stint as defensive coordinator at the University of Oregon, he rejoined the Eskimos for the 1998 and 1999 seasons before moving on to help the Lions capture their fourth Grey Cup win in 2000.

Following a brief stint as defensive coordinator for the AFL's Detriot Fury in 2001-02, Stubler rejoined the Toronto Argonauts for five seasons as defensive coordinator (2003-07) and would ultimately be named head coach of the Double Blue for the 2008 season. Under Stubler's direction, the Argonauts allowed a league-low 163 touchdowns between 2003 and 2007.

A native of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Stubler began his coaching career in 1971 at Roaring Fork High School before moving to the University of Colorado in 1974.  From there, he moved on to coach the defensive secondary at New Mexico State University from 1975 to 1977.  Following one season at Southern Methodist University in 1978, Stubler joined the Colorado State University Rams for four campaigns between 1979 and 1982.  

Stubler resides with his partner Dorothy in White Rock, BC and enjoys playing as many rounds of golf as he can fit into his schedule.