Tim Burke Gets Interim Title Taken Away in Winnipeg

Vice-President of Football Operations and General Manager Joe Mack has announced that Tim Burke will remain the Head Coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers next season. Burke took over the position on an interim basis on August 25, 2012.

“Tim has done a great job at leading this football team since taking over the position in August and our players have shown a great deal of respect for him and his coaching style,” said Mack. “We believe that by naming him Head Coach now, he will have a full offseason to implement his own system and style of coaching and will give us a head start on bettering our team for next season.”

Burke first joined Winnipeg as Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach in 2011, leading a unit that finished first in 12 defensive categories to an East Division Championship and an appearance in the Grey Cup. Before coming to Winnipeg, he spent three seasons with the Montreal Alouettes in the same capacity where he made three straight Grey Cup appearances, winning back-to-back games in 2009 and 2010. Other CFL experience includes three seasons with the Calgary Stampeders as their Defensive Backs Coach before being promoted to interim Defensive Coordinator in 2007.

“I am more than ecstatic to be the Head Coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers,” said Burke. “I’ve waited a long time for this and I look forward to having the opportunity to lead this football team. I believe in where this organization is headed and I can’t wait to get started on doing what I can to improve on our record from this season and bring the people of Winnipeg and fans of this team back to the Grey Cup.”

Burke began his coaching career at the University of Minnesota in 1977 and has since coached defenses all across the United States and Canada, including stops at Purdue, Ball State University and the University of Kansas among many others.