Winnipeg, March 10, 2024 - Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Dave Ritchie, who led the team from 1999 to 2004, passed away peacefully at his home in Rumford, Rhode Island, surrounded by his family, according to a statement from the football club, said Ed Tait in a wonderful story on Bluebombers.com. Ritchie was 79,
Ritchie's tenure with the Blue Bombers saw a significant transformation in the team's performance. Taking over in 1999, he inherited a struggling team that had managed just a 3-15 record in the season prior to his arrival. Under his guidance, the Blue Bombers saw marked improvement, culminating in a divisional championship in 2001 with an impressive 14-4 record.
During his time at the helm, Ritchie amassed a respectable 52-41-1 regular-season record, solidifying his place as the fourth-winningest head coach in the club's history, behind legends such as Bud Grant, Mike O'Shea, and Cal Murphy.
Recognized for his coaching prowess, Ritchie was named the CFL's Coach of the Year in 2001, a testament to his leadership and impact on the team's success. His contributions were further acknowledged with his induction into both the Winnipeg Football Club Hall of Fame in 2014 and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2022.
The Blue Bombers organization expressed their condolences to Ritchie's family and remembered his significant contributions to the team's history. Ritchie's legacy as a coach and mentor will forever be remembered by fans and players alike.