Richard Harris is returning for his sixth season as the defensive line coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.  He will also add the title of Assistant Head Coach to his duties this year.

The 2010 season was a memorable one for the defensive line as Harris’ troops terrorized opposing offenses all season.  Phillip Hunt led the league in sacks with 16 and both he and Doug Brown were named to the CFL All-Star Team.  Odell Willis finished third in the league in sacks with 11 and also forced four fumbles.  Winnipeg’s defense ranked number one in quarterback sacks (51) and second for fewest yards net offence (6,203) thanks largely to Harris’ defensive line.

Harris has been a member of Winnipeg’s coaching staff since 2006 when the Bombers defense finished in the top three in 14 defensive categories including fewest net yards rushing allowed (1,673), most quarterback sacks (43) and fewest average yards per gain rushing (4.7 yards).  Doug Brown was named runner-up for the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian award and Gavin Walls followed up his CFL Rookie of the Year season by leading the team in sacks with 11 and was named an East Division All-Star.

The following season, the defensive line tied for second in the CFL for most quarterback sacks with 33 and Doug Brown enjoyed a career-year under Harris’ tutelage, tying a career-high in sacks with seven.  Harris was also responsible for re-energizing defensive tackle Jerome Haywood, who registered five sacks and 27 tackles in his first year with the club.  The Bombers finished first in the league in both fewest first downs rushing allowed (99) and tied for first in fewest rushing touchdowns allowed (10) on their way to an appearance in the Grey Cup championship game.

In 2008, the Blue Bombers were ranked third in the league with 42 sacks and the defensive front allowed the third fewest net yards rushing (1,930).  Both Gavin Walls and Doug Brown were named to the East Division All-Star Team with Brown being named a league All-Star.  Walls tied for the fourth-most sacks in the league with nine.

The 2009 season saw Harris continue his stellar coaching ways as his front featured solid play from veterans and young guns alike.  Harris’ coaching helped pave the way for rookie Odell Willis to be tied for third most sacks in the league with ten.  Doug Brown continued his solid play under Harris’ watch and was named a CFL All-Star.

Harris joined the Bombers following one season with the Ottawa Renegades as their defensive line coach.

In 2005, his ‘Gades D-line allowed the second fewest rushing touchdowns (16) and supplied constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks, allowing the third lowest percentage of completed passes (59.5%) in the league.

Prior to his stint in Ottawa, Harris was the defensive line coach for the BC Lions for four seasons.

In 2004, the Lions allowed the fewest net yards rushing (1,358), the lowest average yards rushing per game (75.4) and the fewest plays from scrimmage (1,341).

In 2000, Harris was the Head Coach of the Portland Prowlers of the Indoor Professional Football League.  He guided the Prowlers to a 13-4 record and a berth in the league championship that year.  He was later named the IPFL’s Coach of the Year.  Harris also won three semi-pro championships as a Head Coach in the Northwest Football League – with the Eastside Express in 1989 and the Pudget Sound Jets in 1994 and 1995.

As a player, Harris spent eight seasons in the NFL.  A first-round draft pick (5th overall) of the Philadelphia Eagles, he played three seasons with them before joining the Chicago Bears for two years.  He wrapped up his career with a three-year stint as a member of the Seattle Seahawks.

In college, Harris proudly played at Grambling State University under legendary Head Coach, Eddie Robinson.

Harris and his wife, Tami, live in Winnipeg year-round.  They have four children: Kimberly, Chianti, Jennifer and Michael.  They also have two grandsons named Chandler and Keegan-Michael and one granddaughter named Aurora.