Frank Clair

Frank James Clair (May 12, 1917 – April 3, 2005) was an American gridiron football player, coach, and executive. Nicknamed "the Professor" for his ability to recognize and develop talent, he served as a head coach in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the Toronto Argonauts from 1950 to 1954 and the Ottawa Rough Riders from 1956 to 1969. Clair ranks third all-time in CFL history with 147 regular season wins and first in postseason victories with 27. He is also tied for the most Grey Cup championships won by a head coach with five. He won the Annis Stukus Trophy as the CFL's coach of the year in 1966 and 1969.

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Column 1
Statue of Frank Clair in TD Place Stadium
End
(1917-05-12)May 12, 1917Hamilton, Ohio, U.S.
April 3, 2005(2005-04-03) (aged 87)Sarasota, Florida, U.S.
Ohio State
Washington Redskins
Miami (OH) (assistant)
Purdue (ends)
Buffalo
Toronto Argonauts
Ottawa Rough Riders
Ottawa Rough Riders
7× Grey Cup champion (1950, 1952, 1960, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1976)
2× Annis Stukus Trophy (1966, 1969)
Canadian Football Hall of Fame (Class of 1981)

Frank James Clair (May 12, 1917 – April 3, 2005) was an American gridiron football player, coach, and executive. Nicknamed "the Professor" for his ability to recognize and develop talent, he served as a head coach in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the Toronto Argonauts from 1950 to 1954 and the Ottawa Rough Riders from 1956 to 1969. Clair ranks third all-time in CFL history with 147 regular season wins and first in postseason victories with 27. He is also tied for the most Grey Cup championships won by a head coach with five. He won the Annis Stukus Trophy as the CFL's coach of the year in 1966 and 1969.

Clair played end for the Ohio State Buckeyes, lettering in 1938, 1939, and 1940. As a receiver, he was quarterback Don Scott's favorite target. In 1941, Clair played in seven games for the Washington Redskins.

Clair found his greatest success in coaching. He was the head football coach at the University at Buffalo in 1948 and 1949. During the 1950s, he coached the Toronto Argonauts to two Grey Cups in 1950 and 1952.

In 1956, he joined the Ottawa Rough Riders. As coach, Clair led them to Grey Cup Championships in 1960, 1968 and 1969. After retiring from coaching following the 1969 season, became the team's general manager, where they won Grey Cups in 1973 and 1976. He was let go by the team in 1978. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1981.

The stadium at Lansdowne Park was renamed Frank Clair Stadium in his honour on April 8, 1993. He was inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. Clair lived in retirement at his home, and he died in Sarasota, Florida on April 3, 2005, In 2014, the stadium was renamed TD Place, and the operators erected a statue of Clair in his honour.

YearTeamOverallConferenceStandingBowl/playoffs
Buffalo Bulls (Independent) (1948–1949)
1948Buffalo6–1–1
1949Buffalo6–3
Buffalo:12–4–1
Total:12–4–1
TeamYearRegular seasonPostseason
651.5422nd in IRFU31Won Grey Cup
750.5833rd in IRFU11Lost in IRFU Semi-Finals
741.6252nd in IRFU41Won Grey Cup
590.3574th in IRFU--Missed Playoffs
680.4293rd in IRFU--Missed Playoffs
31312.5000 East DivisionChampionships832 Grey Cups
770.5003rd in IRFU01Lost in Division Semi-Finals
860.5712nd in IRFU01Lost in Division Semi-Finals
680.4293rd in IRFU Division12Lost in Division Finals
860.5712nd in East Division21Lost in Division Finals
950.6432nd in East Division40Won Grey Cup
860.5712nd in East Division01Lost in Division Semi-Finals
671.4642nd in East Division01Lost in Division Semi-Finals
950.6432nd in East Division21Lost in Division Finals
851.6072nd in East Division21Lost in Division Finals
770.5002nd in East Division12Lost in Division Finals
1130.7861st in East Division21Lost Grey Cup
941.6792nd in East Division12Lost in Division Finals
932.7141st in East Division21Won Grey Cup
1130.7861st in East Division21Won Grey Cup
116755.6053 East DivisionChampionships19163 Grey Cups
1471067.5793 East DivisionChampionships27195 Grey Cups
  • List of Canadian Football League head coaches by wins

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  • Frank Clair at Find a Grave