Andrew Harris, the CFL's all-time leading Canadian rusher, hangs up his cleats and takes on a new role as running backs coach for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Andrew Harris , the CFL 's all-time leading Canadian rusher, is stepping into a new role as running backs coach for the Saskatchewan Roughriders . At 37 years old, the Winnipeg native enters the coaching ranks a little over a year after retiring from a decorated playing career. Harris joins the Riders with a few familiar faces, including head coach Corey Mace and running back A.J. Ouellette, both of whom were with the Toronto Argonauts when Harris played there during the 2022-23 seasons.
He also spent five seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2016-19, 2021). While many Manitobans might find it strange to see him in green and white, Harris is eager for the challenge. 'I'm a rookie again now as a coach and you need guys you can trust who will bring you along and support you,' Harris said during a teleconference. 'I feel this is a good situation for me, one I never would've expected being a Winnipeg guy … but at the end of the day it's football and I know football really well. I am excited to help contribute to the success of the team this year.' Harris and Ouellette formed a strong bond during their time in Toronto, helping the Argos win a Grey Cup in their first season together. Harris describes himself as a player-coach during those years, anticipating a seamless transition to a full-time coaching role. 'I wasn't the main guy anymore (with Toronto) and so for me passing nuggets and information and tips and little things to A.J … I was already kind of in that role,' Harris explained. 'Now it's more official. The thing is that it's more personal for me because I do care about the guy (Ouellette) as a whole. I think as a coach you want to have that with all of your players but it's a good start to have that relationship kicked off.' Harris, who faced the passionate Saskatchewan fanbase as a player, is now ready to experience their support in a new light. 'Obviously the fan base is a great one,' he said. 'It was always one of the toughest places to play, but always an exciting place to play. You've got people who are expecting you to win and be great and that pressure makes diamonds.' The 2022 Grey Cup win was Harris's fourth championship in his illustrious CFL career. He began his 15-year journey with the B.C. Lions (2009-15) before moving on to Winnipeg and Toronto, winning titles with all three teams. After the 2023 season, Harris ventured into sales in Ontario for a publicly traded company, admitting he didn't miss football initially. That changed during the CFL playoffs when the intensity and focus reignited his passion. 'That's when things really get geared up and I just know how that intensity kicks in and the attention to detail,' he said. 'That's when I really first started missing football and was kind of thinking, 'Maybe I want to get back into it.'' Harris holds numerous CFL records, including being the league's leading Canadian rusher with 10,380 yards (5.3-yard average) and 51 touchdowns. He also recorded 607 catches for 5,489 yards and 32 touchdowns. Notably, he's one of only six players in CFL history to surpass 10,000 rushing yards and is Winnipeg's sixth all-time leading rusher with 5,402 yards. Harris led the CFL in rushing four times and was its outstanding Canadian in 2017. A five-time CFL all-star, he was named the Grey Cup's top Canadian and outstanding player in 2019, having also earned top Canadian honors in 2011. Before joining the Riders, Harris served as director of football operations for the Canadian Junior Football League's Vancouver Island Raiders, the same team he won national championships with as a running back in 2006, 2008, and 2009. He replaces Anthony Vitale, who served as the Riders' running backs coach for two seasons but was unable to return due to personal reasons
CFL Andrew Harris Saskatchewan Roughriders CFL Running Backs Coach Grey Cup Winnipeg Blue Bombers Toronto Argonauts
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