Head Coach Paul LaPolice and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are pleased to announce that Tim Burke has joined their coaching staff and will take on the dual role of defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. "We're very happy to bring Tim Burke onto our staff. He has experienced a great deal of success as a defensive coordinator in the Canadian Football League and we believe he'll do a great job of putting our players in a position to be successful," said LaPolice. Burke spent the past three seasons with the Montreal Alouettes as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach where he won two Grey Cup championships. Last season, the Als finished in the top three in 14 defensive categories including first in allowing the fewest net rushing yards (1,738) and most interceptions (25). In 2009, his defense dominated the CFL, setting a team record with just 324 points allowed and finished first in 21 of 25 defensive categories. Prior to joining the Alouettes, Burke spent three seasons on the Calgary Stampeders' coaching staff as their defensive backs coach. He was also named defensive coordinator halfway through his final year. Burke will take over a unit in Winnipeg that finished 2010 first in the league for allowing the fewest net passing yards (4,580), most quarterback sacks (51) and second for fewest yards net offense (6,203). Before entering the CFL, Burke spent over 20 years in the NCAA in various defensive coaching roles. He spent time with Indiana State University, the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga and Kansas State University after three seasons as the defensive backs coach at Purdue University. While with the Boilermakers, Burke's secondary turned into a significant weapon, allowing just 193.7 yards per game in 1998 while intercepting 23 passes in 1997 - the second most in school history. Previously, Burke spent two years at the University of Wyoming where he coached the secondary. His 1995 unit led the WAC in pass defense. Before going to Wyoming, Burke coached the Ball State Cardinals' secondary from 1989-1991 and was their defensive coordinator from 1992-1994. During his tenure, he helped the Cards win MAC Championships in 1989 and 1993 with berths in the California Raisin and Las Vegas Bowls, respectively. BSU was the MAC's winningest team during the six years that he was at the school. The Blue Bombers have also announced that defensive line coach Richard Harris will add the title of Assistant Head Coach to his duties for the upcoming season. Harris will be returning for his sixth season with the Blue and Gold, the longest standing member of the club's coaching staff. Harris has been instrumental in the success of many defensive linemen during his time in Winnipeg, most recently in 2010, where defensive end Philip Hunt led the CFL in sacks (16), while his other end Odell Willis finished third (11). Two of Harris' starting four defensive linemen were named to the 2010 CFL All-Star Team. "Not only is Coach Harris a great football coach, he's an even better man. He's very well respected by his players, as well as in the community," LaPolice said. Harris has been a member of Winnipeg's coaching staff since 2006 when the Bombers defense finished in the top three in 14 defensive categories including fewest net yards rushing allowed (1,673), most quarterback sacks (43) and fewest average yards per gain rushing (4.7 yards). Doug Brown was named runner-up for the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian award and Gavin Walls followed up his CFL Rookie of the Year season by leading the team in sacks with 11 and was named an East Division All-Star. Tim Burke's Coaching Experience 2008-10 Montreal Alouettes Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach 2007 Calgary Stampeders Defensive Coordinator (interim) 2005-07 Calgary Stampeders Defensive Backs Coach 2004 Indiana State University Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach 2003 University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach 2001 University of Kansas Defensive Line Coach 2000 University of Kansas Defensive Backs Coach 1997-99 Purdue University Defensive Backs Coach 1995-96 University of Wyoming Defensive Backs Coach 1992-94 Ball State University Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach 1989-91 Ball State University Defensive Backs Coach 1986-88 University of North Dakota Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach 1982-85 University of South Dakota Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach 1981 Appalachian State University Assistant Coach 1980 Gardner Webb University Assistant Coach 1977-79 University of Minnesota Assistant Coach
