Richard Wade was a member of the Canadian Football League, working for the British Columbia Lions, the Calgary Stampeders, the Ottawa Renegades and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Wade entered the league as a guest coach in 2004 and subsequently held various player personnel, scouting and front office roles in the league through 2011.
Wade, an eight-year veteran of the Canadian Football League (CFL), was active in several roles with the British Columbia Lions (2006, 2007, 2011), the Calgary Stampeders (2004), the Ottawa Renegades (2005, 2006) and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2008, 2009, 2010). Primarily noted for his work in player personnel, recruiting and evaluation, Wade also held coaching positions with Calgary and Ottawa, where as an offensive assistant coach he worked with quarterbacks and receivers, the offensive line and special teams. In his only front office role, Wade was promoted to Director of Football development in Ottawa 2006 and tasked with re-structuring the club operations.
His development of import players additions was highlighted in his personnel work and in the identification, evaluations, workouts and signings of four import players who were named as CFL Rookies of the Year in 2011, 2007, 2006 and 2004. Wade planned and operated US free agent workout camps that produced numerous active roster impact players and was instrumental in assisting to rebuild the Hamilton Tiger-Cats from 2008 to 2010. During his tenure with the BC Lions, the team finished with records of 15–5 and 14–3–1, and won the Grey Cup Championship in 2006. (Ulrich V.P., Edwards H.S.)
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Football background
Coach Richard Wade
Wade would be named as Offensive Line and Special Teams Assistant Coach and responsible for the operation of the club's Player Personnel department working closely with Forrest Gregg, the Renegades executive Vice President.
Following his hire, he assumed the role of Director of Football Development for the Ottawa Renegades.
General Manager Forrest Gregg praised his talent and fit for the organization upon his arrival.
Head coach John Jenkins stated “Richard has already served us well as a regional scout in the Western United States, plus I worked with him when he was a guest coach with the Calgary Stampeders, so I know he will be a major asset for our organization."
After the Ottawa Renegades team was suspended Wade was picked up by the British Columbia Lions Football Club,
In 2006, the BC Lions won the Western Division and defeated the Montreal Alouettes 25–14 to win the Grey Cup Championship. Furthermore several players and staff won awards including Aaron Hunt (CFL Rookie of the Year), Brent Johnson (Most Outstanding Canadian and defensive Linemen), and Geroy Simon (CFL Top Offensive Linemen and CFL Most Outstanding Player). Head Coach Wally Buono would be named CFL Coach of the Year.
Returning in 2007, Wade would continue to work as a Regional Scout with Bob O'Billovich, the BC Lions Director of Player Personnel. During this period, Cameron Wake was named CFL Rookie of the Year, making it a total of three outstanding rookie recruits across three scouting programs Wade was involved in during a four year period.
12 March 2008 Wade joins Bob O'Billovich and the Hamilton Tiger-Cat in the Eastern Division of the Canadian Football League.
CFL players return to the NFL/ Wade Scouting Prospects and Quotes/ Hamilton Spectator Article
Canadian Football League 2004-Present
2004 Calgary Stampeders, Quarterbacks and Receivers
2005 Ottawa Renegades, Western Regional Scout
2006 Ottawa Renegades, Offensive Line Coach, Player Personnel Director
2006-2007 British Columbia Lions , Western Regional Scout
2008–2011 Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Western Regional Scout
2011–present British Columbia Lions Western Regional Scout