CALGARY — Mark Kilam is returning to familiar ground for his first Grey Cup as a head coach, but the Edmonton native says restoring pride in the Elks matters more than where the championship is played.

Edmonton faces the Montreal Alouettes at Calgary’s McMahon Stadium on Sunday, seeking its first CFL title since 2015. The Elks reached the championship after a 13-5 season, a sharp turnaround from their 7-11 record and last-place West Division finish in Kilam’s first year.

According to Canadian Press reporting published by Sportsnet, Kilam credited a change in his responsibilities with helping him become more involved throughout the team. At Wednesday’s Grey Cup coaches news conference, he recalled advice quarterback Cody Fajardo offered during their exit interview after the 2025 season: spend less time focused on special teams and more with the rest of the roster.

Kilam had co-ordinated special teams in his first Edmonton season, wanting to establish a standard in an area he knew well. He spent 20 seasons as a Calgary Stampeders assistant, much of that time coaching special teams.

After giving up those duties, Kilam said he could devote more attention to offence and defence.

“One of the reasons it’s helped our team be stronger is we’ve been more streamlined in all three phases,” he said.

Fajardo, who threw for a career-high 4,788 yards this season, praised Kilam’s broader leadership.

“There’s no way we’re in this Grey Cup without Mark Kilam as our head coach,” he said.

Edmonton earned its first playoff berth since 2019, went 8-1 at Commonwealth Stadium and beat the B.C. Lions 28-16 in the West final before more than 40,000 spectators. Kilam said the renewed enthusiasm was visible in team flags, fans wearing the colours and conversations around the city.

His return to Calgary follows his dismissal from the Stampeders in October 2024. He said an early conversation with Elks general manager Ed Hervey and president Chris Morris convinced him they shared the same outlook.

Kilam was part of three Grey Cup-winning teams in Calgary, but said winning there as a head coach would not make the championship more meaningful.

“We could play it anywhere,” he said. “I want to win for our guys, and I want to win for the city of Edmonton.”

Sources