The BC Lions retained eight assistants and brought back an old friend to their 2026 coaching staff.
Buck Pierce heads into 2026 with his staff remaining intact, with the only addition being longtime BC Lion and former Lions defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator Mark Washington returning to the Lions Den.
2026 BC Lions Coaching Staff
Buck Pierce — Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks Coach
Mike Benevides — Defensive Coordinator
Cory McDiarmid — Special Teams Coordinator
Kevin Bourgoin — Receivers Coach, Pass Game Coordinator
Paul Charbonneau — Offensive Line Coach, Run Game Coordinator
Kristian Matte — Running Backs Coach, Assistant Offensive Line Coach
Ryan Phillips — Secondary Coach, Pass Game Coordinator
Randy Melvin — Defensive Line Coach
Mark Washington — Linebackers Coach
Derek Oswalt — Assistant Receivers Coach
One of the biggest questions Lions fans had following the West Final, where the Lions surrendered the lead in the final minutes of the game, was whether defensive coordinator Mike Benevides would survive. Clearly, the club feels he is still the right man for the job.
Benevides will be back for his 16th season with the Lions and will be handed a beefed-up linebacking unit with the addition of Darnell Sankey. He will also have what should be one of the most feared defensive lines in the CFL, a unit that has added Casey Sayles and remains under the guidance of defensive line guru Randy Melvin.
On the back end, it will once again be up to Ryan Phillips to coach up some newcomers with the help of veterans T.J. Lee and Gary Peters. The departure of Robert Carter Jr. to the NFL will leave a hole, but the Lions are expecting more great things and continued growth from Jackson Findlay.
Washington will step in and take over the linebackers. His familiarity with Benevides should make for a seamless working relationship and put the two on the same page from Day 1.
BC Lions rookies report to Kamloops on May 8, with main camp getting underway two days later.
