David Moll
By Stampeders.com Staff
With his next regular-season victory, John Hufnagel will become just the 10th coach in CFL history to reach the 100-win milestone.
Hufnagel has needed just 140 career games to get to the brink of triple digits and he’s on pace to be the second quickest to reach 100. Former Stamps bench boss Wally Buono needed only 138 games to get to 100 while Bud Grant achieved the milestone in his 158th game, which currently represents the second-quickest pace.
Here’s a list of some of the notable regular-season wins of Huff’s career to date:
Win No. 1
(June 26, 2008) As luck would have it, Huff’s first game as Stamps head coach came against his mentor. Wally Buono was the Stamps’ head coach when Hufnagel served as offensive coordinator and by the time Huff took over the Stamps, Buono was patrolling the sidelines for the BC Lions.
So it was that the Huff Era in Calgary started with a 28-18 victory over Wally’s Leos. It was the first “W” of many.
Win No. 6
(Sept. 5, 2008) After that initial victory in 2008, the Stamps muddled along in mediocrity with a 4-4 record in their next eight games. One of those setbacks was a 37-16 thumping at the hands of the Eskimos in the Labour Day Classic at McMahon Stadium.
Just four days later, however, the Stamps rallied for an important 38-33 victory in the rematch against the Esks in Edmonton, which was part of an 8-1 second-half record by the Red and White. Calgary carried the momentum into the playoffs and a Grey Cup title.
Win No. 25
(July 10, 2010) Coach Huff reached the quarter-century mark in wins during Week 2 of his third season as rookie Rob Maver kicked a game-winning field goal with 10 seconds left in the game to lift the Stamps to a 23-22 triumph in Hamilton.
Win No. 50
(Aug. 9, 2012) Strangely enough, Hufnagel’s 50th win also came in Steeltown, and in the Stamps final appearance at old Ivor Wynne Stadium, to boot. It was the first meeting between the two clubs since an off-season swap of quarterbacks, with Kevin Glenn coming to Calgary and Henry Burris going to Hamilton. Jon Cornish stole the show, however, as he ran for 171 yards and also caught six passes for 47 yards.
Win No. 62
(July 20, 2013) One of the more memorable regular-season wins of Huff’s career came at McMahon against the Montreal Alouettes. After spotting the Larks a 24-0 first-quarter lead, the Stamps came back to win 38-27. It was a CFL record for biggest first-quarter deficit overcome en route to a victory.
Win No. 75
(July 12, 2014) Four years and two days after his 25th win, Huff chalked up victory No. 75 in Toronto. Bo Levi Mitchell threw for four touchdown passes — including a trick play that saw the Stamps pivot heave the ball downfield to Anthony Parker after taking a lateral from Jock Sanders — to lead the Calgary attack.
Win No. 83
(Sept. 13, 2014) The Stamps were up to their comeback tricks again as they fell behind 29-3 at home against the Argos before roaring back for a 40-33 victory.
In addition to tying the franchise record for biggest comeback, the Stamps overcame numerous key injuries in the contest including the loss of quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell. Drew Tate came on in relief to complete the rally.
It also happened to be Coach Huff’s birthday.
Win No. 99
(Oct. 2, 2015) Yet another significant win in Hamilton as Huff ties his former Winnipeg Blue Bombers boss Cal Murphy for 10th place on the CFL’s all-time list.
Rene Paredes tied the game late and then kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired.