Mike Samples has been promoted to head coach of the Ontario Football Conference Burlington Braves.
Samples, 62, was the Bravesβ defensive co-ordinator last year. He replaces Neil Lumsden, who coached for one season before deciding to take on director of player personnel duties with the club.
Samples has coached minor football in Hamilton and more recently with the Burlington rep Stampeders and Notre Dame Fighting Irish high school teams.
Assisting Samples on the Braves staff this year, in addition to Lumsden, are assistant head coach and offensive co-ordinator Matt Garner, receivers coach Richard Rebiere, running backs coach Jack Lumsden, offensive line coaches John Sutton and Don Edwards, defensive co-ordinator Jerry Phillip, quarterback coach Mike Finch and linebackers and defensive line coach Michael Solanki and Scott Jackson. Samples will also coach the D-line.
The Braves main training camp starts July 10, with the team opening the OFC regular-season schedule against the Hurricanes in Hamilton on Aug. 11.
Mike Samples – playing career
Drake State β Linebacker
NFL 12th round draft pick β Atlanta Falcons
BC Lions, Hamilton Ticats 1974 β 1978
CFL Eastern All-Star D End 1976
Saskatchewan Rough Riders 1978 β 1983
CFL East All-Star D-Tackle 1981 β 1982
CFL All-Star Defensive tackle 1981
Ass. Coach Sask. Rough Riders 1983 β 1985, 1987
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