Nik Lewis, Juwan Simpson return to Calgary Stampeders as coaches

Juwan Simpson (left) laughs while sitting on the bench during Grey Cup practice in Vancouver, B.C., on Wednesday November 26, 2014 and Nik Lewis (right) jogs across the field during a Grey Cup walkthrough in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday November 29, 2014. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Two former Calgary Stampeders are returning to the CFL club as coaches.

Nik Lewis and Juwan Simpson were named Calgary's receivers and defensive line coach respectively for the 2023 season on Tuesday.

Hall of Famer Lewis played receiver for 11 seasons with the Stampeders, and Simpson was a defensive back for eight.

Both won Grey Cups with Calgary in 2008 and 2014.

J.R. Davies, a former Simon Fraser University quarterback, is the newcomer to the coaching staff.

He'll oversee the running backs after serving as a regional scout consultant for Calgary.

"There's no doubt these three will bring energy, knowledge, and fresh ideas to our team," head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson said in a statement.

"All three have Stampeder roots so they know our standard and how we operate."

Dickenson, who was promoted to GM in December, kept the core of his coaching staff intact for 2023, including the return of special teams co-ordinator Mark Kilam for a 19th season in the organization.

Defensive co-ordinator Brent Monson, offensive co-ordinator and offensive line coach Pan DelMonaco, quarterbacks coach Marc Mueller, defensive backs coach Dwayne Cameron and linebackers coach Bob Slowik will also return in 2023.

"We were fortunate to keep the majority of our staff together," Dickenson said in a statement.

"I appreciate their loyalty and their commitment to consistently put a winning product on the field."

The Stampeders went 12-6 in 2022 and lost in the West Division semifinal to the B.C. Lions.

Calgary opens the regular season June 8 at home against the Lions.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 3, 2023.