Anna 
Blair Atkinson, a respected figure in the football community, has been named the first full-time Offensive Coordinator in the history of the Manitoba Bisons football program.
Atkinson, a former player and coach with the Bisons, has over two decades of experience with the team. He is known for his ability to develop players who move on to higher levels of competition. Atkinson served as the Bisons’ receivers coach for the past season and previously for nine years (2007-2016). In his first season as a positional coach, the Bisons won the prestigious Vanier Cup, and he was also part of the team when they secured the 2014 Hardy Cup.
Throughout his coaching career, Atkinson has helped develop numerous players who went on to play in the CFL, including Xavier Johnson, Quincy Hurst, Anthony Coombs, Nick Demski, and Macho Bockru. His commitment to nurturing young talent has been a hallmark of his coaching.
Stan Pierre, the Bisons’ head coach, expressed excitement about Atkinson’s new role, stating, “Blair brings a wealth of experience and is highly regarded as one of the best developers of young athletes in our province.”
Atkinson, a Bisons alum who played from 2003 to 2005, had a standout career, ranking fifth in school history for regular season receiving touchdowns. He has prior experience as an offensive coordinator, having held the position for the Bisons in 2017-18. During that time, three players from his roster went on to play in the CFL, and quarterback Des Catellier broke the school’s career passing yards record.
Atkinson is also a co-founder and coach at Recruit Ready, a football training program that has developed over 40 members of the 2024 Bisons roster. Recruit Ready has produced players who compete at the NFL, CFL, NCAA Division 1, and U SPORTS levels.
A native of British Columbia, Atkinson began his football career with community teams in Langley before playing in the CJFL for the Abbotsford Airforce and South Fraser Rams. He went on to play for Manitoba, recording 1,143 regular season receiving yards, which ranks 11th in school history.
In 2006, Atkinson signed as a free agent with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and also practiced with the BC Lions in 2002. He later served as the Offensive Coordinator and General Manager for the CJFL’s Valley Huskers from 2019 to 2022.
“I’m a proud Bison alum and I take this job very seriously,” Atkinson said. “I believe we have a talented group, and I’m excited to build on the success from last year.”
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