O'Billovich remains with Lions

Bob O'Billovich will remain with the B.C. Lions this season as director of player personnel, the club announced Tuesday.

Last week the Lions gave Ottawa permission to speak with the longtime CFL coach regarding a position.

Obviously, O'Billovich turned them down.

"I am very pleased that Bob will remain with the Lions," Vancouver GM and head coach Wally Buono said in a statement.

"Bob has brought some tremendous talent to us and I believe our fans will be impressed with the new players he will be bringing in this season."

O'Billovich's association with the CFL began in 1963 as a player with Ottawa. He was a defensive back and quarterback for the Renegades' predecessor, the Rough Riders. He joined the team as an assistant coach, a position he held in 1976 when Ottawa last won a Grey Cup.

He took over the head coaching duties with the Toronto Argonauts and won coach of the year honours in 1983 and 1987.

O'Billovich, 65, is in his second go-round with the Lions since rejoining the team in 2003. From 1990-92 he was the Lions' vice-president of football operations, general manger and head coach.

"I am grateful to both Wally Buono and Bob Ackles for allowing me to look at some positions that were out there, but in the end my current role with the Lions is best for me and my family," O'Billovich said.

"We have an outstanding group of core players and I'm going to continue to do my best to help build a championship team for Lions fans."

with files from Canadian Press