Former CFL coach Murphy improving in hospital

Saskatchewan football fans and those across the Canadian Football League awoke to good news Wednesday as one-time Roughriders head coach Cal Murphy has been removed from life support.

A spokesperson close to the family told the Regina Leader-Post that the 78-year-old Murphy was conscious Tuesday night and talking but remains in intensive care.

The Regina resident has a history of heart trouble, having undergone emergency bypass surgery in 1992, followed by a heart transplant.

A Riders spokesperson said Murphy, a two-time winner of the CFL's outstanding coach award, was admitted because of a heart ailment.

The Canadian Football Hall of Famer is most renowned for his 14 years as head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

He joined the team in 1983 and stayed until 1996, becoming known affectionately throughout the city as Coach Cal, and guiding the Blue Bombers to three Grey Cup wins and five appearances.

Murphy moved to the Roughriders coaching staff in 1997 and was head coach two years later.

The nine-time Grey Cup champion also served with the Montreal Alouettes, Edmonton Eskimos and B.C. Lions.

Murphy has been a scout with the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League since 1997.