VANCOUVER — Jeff Tedford is returning to the CFL.
A league source says Tedford has agreed to terms to become the new head coach of the B.C. Lions and will be introduced today at a news conference in Vancouver.
Tedford played six seasons as a quarterback in the CFL with Hamilton, Calgary, Saskatchewan, and Winnipeg from 1983 to '88. He replaces Mike Benevides, who was fired following B.C.'s 50-17 loss to the Montreal Alouettes in the East Division semifinal.
Tedford, 53, will be reunited with GM Wally Buono with the Lions. Tedford served as an assistant under Buono with the Calgary Stampeders ('89-'91).
Earlier this year, Tedford was hired to be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offensive co-ordinator but left the team during the pre-season to undergo a heart procedure. That ultimately resulted in the two sides mutually agreeing to end his NFL deal, making Tedford available to join the Lions.
Tedford also served as the head coach at the University of California ('02-'12) and twice was named the Pac-10's top coach, winning the conference title in 2006.
B.C. finished fourth in the West Division last season with a 9-9 record.
