The Calgary Stampeders would like to extend their deepest sympathy to the family of former Stamps coach Jim Duncan, who passed away yesterday. He was 86.
 
Duncan spent five seasons as Calgary’s head coach (1969-73) and guided the Stamps to the 1971 Grey Cup championship with a 14-11 decision over the Toronto Argonauts. It was the team’s second championship and first since 1948. Calgary also played in the 1970 Grey Cup championship game under Duncan, who led the Red and White to 38 wins over his tenure, the fifth-highest total in club history.
 
“Jim will be missed by the entire Stampeders family,” said Stamps president/COO Lyle Bauer. “He was a key figure in the history of our organization and he will be missed by all. We wish his family well during this difficult time.”
 
Duncan became Calgary’s 13th head coach on May 13, 1969, after spending four seasons as an assistant with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Prior to coaching, Duncan served in the U.S. Navy before starring at Wake Forest University, where he was all-conference on three occasions and was named the team’s most valuable player as a senior in 1949. He went on to play defensive end for the New York Giants for five seasons before an injury ended his playing career. He began his coaching career at Appalachian State College in 1960. After leaving the Stampeders, Duncan was hired by a group trying to bring a CFL team to London, Ont., and was part of the front office for the World Football League’s Portland Storm.