Place of birth Hamilton, Ohio Name Frank Clair Place of death Sarasota, Florida Role American football player | College Ohio State Education Ohio State University 1970–1978 Ottawa Rough Riders Positions End | |
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Date of birth (1917-05-12)May 12, 1917 Date of death April 3, 2005(2005-04-03) (aged 87) Died April 3, 2005, Sarasota, Florida, United States | ||
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 ranks third all-time in the CFL with 147 regular season wins and is the most successful head coach in the post-season with 27 victories. He is also tied for the most Grey Cup championships won by a head coach with five. As a result, he won the Annis Stukus Trophy as the CFL's coach of the year in 1966 and 1969.
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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.
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. He was inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. Retired, Clair lived in retirement and died in Sarasota, Florida. He was survived by his wife Patricia and daughter Robin. In 2014, the stadium was renamed TD Place, and the operators erected a statue of Clair in his honour.