American Football Database
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Frank Clair
Date of birth: (1917-05-12)May 12, 1917
Place of birth: Hamilton, Ohio
Date of death: April 3, 2005(2005-04-03) (aged 87)
Place of death: Sarasota, Florida[1]
Career information
Position(s): End
College: Ohio State
Organizations
 As administrator:
1970–1978 Ottawa Rough Riders
 As coach:
1948-1949
1950-1954
1956–1969
Buffalo Bulls
Toronto Argonauts
Ottawa Rough Riders
 As player:
1941 Washington Redskins
Playing stats at NFL.com
Canadian Football Hall of Fame, 1981

Frank James Clair (May 12, 1917 – April 3, 2005) was a coach in the Canadian Football League, nicknamed "the Professor" for his ability to recognize and develop talent. Clair is the 3rd most successful head coach in the CFL with 147 wins and the most successful head coach in the post-season with 27 victories. As a result, he won the Annis Stukus Trophy as the CFL's coach of the year in 1966 and 1969.

Playing career[]

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.

Coaching career[]

Clair found his greatest success in coaching. He was the head 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.[2]

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. After he was let go in 1978, the team won no more Grey Cups. 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. Retired, Clair lived in retirement and died in Sarasota, Florida. He was survived by his wife Patricia and daughter Robin.[3]

Head coaching record[]

College[]

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
1948 Buffalo 6-1-1
1949 Buffalo 6-3
Total: 12-4-1
Indicates BCS bowl, Bowl Alliance or Bowl Coalition game. #Rankings from final Coaches' Poll.

CFL[]

Team Year Regular Season Post Season
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Result
TOR 1950 6 5 1 .542 2nd in IRFU 3 1 Won Grey Cup
TOR 1951 7 5 0 .583 3rd in IRFU 1 1 Lost in IRFU Semi-Finals
TOR 1952 7 4 1 .625 2nd in IRFU 4 1 Won Grey Cup
TOR 1953 5 9 0 .357 4th in IRFU - - Missed Playoffs
TOR 1954 6 8 0 .429 3rd in IRFU - - Missed Playoffs
TOR Total 31 31 2 .500 0 East Division
Championships
8 3 2 Grey Cups
OTT 1956 7 7 0 .500 3rd in IRFU 0 1 Lost in Division Semi-Finals
OTT 1957 8 6 0 .571 2nd in IRFU 0 1 Lost in Division Semi-Finals
OTT 1958 6 8 0 .429 3rd in IRFU Division 1 2 Lost in Division Finals
OTT 1959 8 6 0 .571 2nd in East Division 2 1 Lost in Division Finals
OTT 1960 9 5 0 .643 2nd in East Division 4 0 Won Grey Cup
OTT 1961 8 6 0 .571 2nd in East Division 0 1 Lost in Division Semi-Finals
OTT 1962 6 7 1 .464 2nd in East Division 0 1 Lost in Division Semi-Finals
OTT 1963 9 5 0 .643 2nd in East Division 2 1 Lost in Division Finals
OTT 1964 8 5 1 .607 2nd in East Division 2 1 Lost in Division Finals
OTT 1965 7 7 0 .500 2nd in East Division 1 2 Lost in Division Finals
OTT 1966 11 3 0 .786 1st in East Division 2 1 Lost Grey Cup
OTT 1967 9 4 1 .679 2nd in East Division 1 2 Lost in Division Finals
OTT 1968 9 3 2 .714 1st in East Division 2 1 Won Grey Cup
OTT 1969 11 3 0 .786 1st in East Division 2 1 Won Grey Cup
OTT Total 116 75 5 .605 3 East Division
Championships
19 16 3 Grey Cups
Total 147 106 7 .579 3 East Division
Championships
27 19 5 Grey Cups

References[]

External links[]

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