After spending much of his life immersed in Green and Gold, Rick Campbell admits donning the Red and White takes some getting used to.

“It’s going to be different,” acknowledged the Stampeders’ new running backs coach, who spent part of his childhood in Edmonton and was a member of the Eskimos coaching staff for 10 years. “And once the season arrives, I’m sure I’ll realize even more how different it is. But I’m actually really excited about it because I know Calgary is a first-class organization. I’ve had several conversations with Huff and I think it’s going to be a good deal all around.”

Maybe it will help that Campbell took an indirect route from Edmonton to Calgary as he spent one season as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ special-teams coordinator and defensive backs coach before officially switching Alberta allegiances.

“Just by being away from Edmonton, it was different for me in Winnipeg,” he said. “As far as the CFL goes, Edmonton had been the only team I was affiliated with so with the year in Winnipeg, I’ve already had a taste on being on the opposite sideline from Edmonton.

“Now,” he added with a grin, “it will be taking it one step further when you’re with the dreaded Stampeders.”

One has to wonder how his father Hugh, the long-time Eskimos head coach and executive, is taking the news of his son’s new gig.

“My dad’s a football guy,” Campbell pointed out. “From a fan’s point of view, it’s the dreaded rivalry, but he has much respect for Calgary and for Coach Huff and the staff and the players here because they’ve done a lot more winning than losing here, and there’s a reason for that. I’m hoping that I can not only be a part of that but also to contribute something to make it even better.”

Being the son of a CFL legend — the elder Campbell won 10 Grey Cups as a player, head coach and executive — creates both advantages and disadvantages.

“I think that initially, my dad’s name got me in the business,” said Campbell. “But after all this time, if I wasn’t a productive coach, I wouldn’t be around. I mean, head coaches have to hire people that help them win and I’m hoping I can be a contributor here. I truly like to let my work speak for itself.

“I’m proud of who my dad is and I’m proud of all his accomplishments, but I don’t dwell on it with people. And he’s been out of coaching long enough now, too, that I have to be my own guy. I’m proud of my name and where I come from but I also want to be recognized for what I do on my own.”

On that front, Rick has certainly built himself an impressive resume. After doing some coaching at the high-school level in Spokane, Wash., he went to the University of Oregon in 1996 as Mike Bellotti and his staff were re-establishing the Ducks as a Pac-10 and national power.

He joined his father’s old club in 1999 and coached the defensive backs and the special teams before becoming defensive coordinator in 2005. In his first season as coordinator, the Esks led the league in 13 categories and won the Grey Cup. It was the second Grey Cup ring for Campbell, who was a position coach when the Esks were champions in 2003.

Campbell would serve a full decade with the Green and Gold before making the move to Winnipeg.

“I was talking with my wife Jeri the other day about how fortunate we feel to, in this business, have been able to stay in one place for so long,” he said. “That’s kind of unique in football. But it’s exciting to move on and grow and meet new people and see new places.”

The Bombers seemed to be headed for a disastrous season as a three-game September skid dropped the club’s record to 3-8, but a three-game winning streak lifted Winnipeg back into contention.

Under Campbell’s guidance, the Bombers led the CFL with 31 interceptions and Winnipeg defensive backs Lenny Walls and Jovon Johnsons ranked second and third in the league with seven and six picks respectively. Johnson also excelled on special teams for Campbell as he returned a punt for a touchdown as well as a missed-field goal for a score.

“The coaches and players battled all the way to the end,” said Campbell. “I was proud of that. Sometimes, as players and coaches, the best job you do is under adverse circumstances. I definitely grew as a coach and as a person last year.”

Expect more growing in 2010 as Campbell, who has made his living as a defensive and special-teams coach, gets a chance to see how the other half lives.

It may seem like an unusual switch at first blush, but as head coach and general manager John Hufnagel puts it: “Rick is a proven defensive coach and his experience on that side of the ball provides a valuable perspective in our offensive meetings.”

Campbell is looking forward to working with Calgary’s personnel.

“I have a lot of respect for Joffrey (Reynolds) and Henry (Burris) and Nik Lewis and all those guys who have been around here,” he said. “It’s a great situation to come into.

“Part of the reason of coming here is that it’s such a first-class organization and there’s a veteran group of players. With Coach Huff and his staff, it’s such a good situation to come into that I didn’t want to pass up that opportunity.”