Eskimos name Hall as new coach

Longtime assistant Richie Hall will be the next head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos, the team announced Wednesday.

Hall beat out a short list of candidates that included B.C. Lions defensive co-ordinator Mike Benevides, Eskimos assistant coach Noel Thorpe and Greg Marshall, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' defensive co-ordinator last season.

"I am tremendously excited to join the Edmonton Eskimos, an organization with a rich and successful history," Hall said. "There is an excellent nucleus of talent here and I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead."

Hall was the Saskatchewan Roughriders' defensive co-ordinator for the last eight seasons and has spent a total of 15 years with the organization.

Known as a classy individual off the field, Hall's bright defensive mind helped the Riders win the 2007 Grey Cup, the team's first title since 1989.

The Riders were first in fewest yards allowed (354 per game), second in pass defence (266 yards per game) and fewest passing touchdowns allowed (28), and third in fewest touchdowns (44) and points allowed (25.1 per game).

Hall was passed over for head coaching positions in the past despite several vacancies.

The Texas native takes over from Danny Maciocia, who walked away from his coaching duties after the 2008 season to concentrate full time as head of Edmonton's football operations.

"Having coached against him for many years, I have long admired Richie's abilities," Maciocia said in a statement. "He brings an outstanding reputation as both a coach and person and someone I firmly believe is an excellent fit for the Eskimo organization."

Although the Riders struggled with injuries on the offensive side this season, Hall's defence was a big reason the team posted its second straight 12-6 mark and finished behind only the eventual Grey Cup champion Calgary Stampeders in the West Division standings.

Hall, 49, played for nine seasons in the CFL as a defensive back with Calgary and Saskatchewan, and was part of the Riders' team that won the Grey Cup 19 years ago in Toronto.

The former Colorado State defender, who competed in 153 career regular-season games, was named to four West Division all-star teams.