Experienced. That would be one word to describe the BC Lions coaching staff as they continue to gear up for the 2016 season. As CFL all-time wins leader Wally Buono prepares for a return to the sidelines, members of his staff are working around the clock to prepare for training camp.
Enter Marcel Bellefeuille. Hired by Buono to guide the Lions receiving corps in January, the 16-year professional coaching veteran brings all of the right credentials to the table. Previous stops include a stint as Head Coach in Hamilton (2008-11), as well as offensive coordinator in Saskatchewan (2003-05) and Winnipeg from 2013 until last season. He also served as running backs Coach for Montreal in 2006 when they lost to BC in the 94th Grey Cup.
“The irony of it is I’ve had opportunities to face this team in a number of situations, so it’s kind of interesting to be on this side,” Bellefeuille says. 
He was on the losing end of two other memorable playoff results against the Lions: with Saskatchewan in the 2004 Western Final, and with Hamilton in 2009 when his current club crossed over to the East Division. Both of those games went into overtime.
“Even just to work in the organization with guys like Geroy who you coached against and now seeing them in different roles, it’s exciting. It’s fun.”
As for the men Bellefeuille will be coaching, he agrees there is lots of potential to reverse a few trends from 2015. Emmanuel Arceneaux was the lone Lions receiver to surpass the 1,000- yard reception mark. By comparison, the East Champion Ottawa REDBLACKS led the CFL with four.
“This group has a varied skill level, they’re very diverse and there is some depth. It was a good group to start with, I think Wally and the staff added some pieces in free agency and now going into the draft we will see what direction we go.”
The Lions free agent activity included bringing back receiver Nick Moore, whom Bellefeuille worked with in Winnipeg the past two seasons. Moore’s finest season as a pro came with the Lions in 2013 when he hauled in 73 passes for 1,105 yards and six touchdowns. That production prompted the Blue Bombers to open up their wallet when the 2014 free agency period opened.
“I think Nick will benefit from being back with the organization he had the most success with,” Bellefeuille said.
When asked about Arceneaux, Bellefeuille could barely contain his excitement to have front row access to the Manny Show.
“I felt like he was always that game breaking guy, facing him over the years. I think he’s at the part of his career where not only is he becoming a leader on and off the field but what he brings to the table in terms of work ethic every day. You always want to have one of those guys in your group that will lead from the front and he is certainly that guy,” the former Ottawa Gee Gees head coach noted.
Bellefeuille is working closely with offensive coordinator Khari Jones and the rest of the staff on preparations for the coming season. The two worked together in Hamilton when Jones held the same title under then head coach Bellefeuille.
Jones admits having experience on his staff will bode well as he transitions back into the role held by George Cortez last season.
“Coach Bellefeuille is a great teacher, and his track record of getting immediate results when he takes over a new position is what has us excited as we get ready for camp,” Jones said.
Bellefuille’s first full season as Tiger-Cats head coach resulted in a 9-9 record and second in the East after they won just 3 games the previous season.
With the current Lions roster rounding into form and CFL Draft less than two months away, there is a sense inside the practice facility that preparation is heating up and the season is just around the corner.