Stampeders head coach/general manager John Hufnagel is pleased to announce that former Stamps quarterback Dave Dickenson will join the club as an offensive assistant coach.

Dickenson retired in February, 2009 after 11 seasons in the Canadian Football League. The 36-year-old from Montana played in five Grey Cups — won three — and will go into the books as one of the best quarterbacks of this generation.

“When we signed Dave prior to the 2008 season, we hoped he would spend the last two years of his playing career in Calgary,” said Hufnagel. “Unfortunately, injury prevented Dave from playing a second season but we’re very happy to have him come back for 2009 as an assistant coach.

“He will mainly be responsible for coaching the running backs but will be involved in other areas of the offence, as he was last season.”

Dickenson spent six seasons with the Stamps. He rejoined the club prior to the 2008 season and played an integral role in the Grey Cup victory as he backed up Henry Burris and provided key leadership and support.

“I’m excited to be back with the Stamps and for the opportunity to stay in the game,” said Dickenson. “Things obviously worked very well here last year, and I’d like to help us continue that success. After I was injured in 2008, I basically played the role of a coach, so this is a logical fit and hopefully I can make a difference.”

Dickenson began his CFL playing career with the Stamps in 1996 when he was acquired in a trade with the Toronto Argonauts and spent that season on Calgary’s practice roster. He rose to the active roster in 1997 and continued to improve every season. He backed up Jeff Garcia to a Grey Cup win in 1998 and started in a 1999 Grey Cup loss.

He was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player in 2000 and this stellar campaign resulted in National Football League options. He spent time over the next two seasons with the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions.

When Dickenson returned to the CFL in 2003, he joined the BC Lions and was a key building block that turned the Lions into a perennial contender. Under his direction, the Lions lost the 2004 Grey Cup and he reached the pinnacle again by winning in 2006. He was named the Grey Cup Most Valuable Player in 2006.

Dickenson played in 140 CFL regular-season games and 14 more in the post-season. He holds CFL records for highest single-season completion percentage (73.98 in 2005), highest quarterback rating in a single season (118.8 in 2005) and all-time highest completion percentage (67.5). He had an incredible touchdown-interception ratio of 36-6 in 2000 when he was a CFL allstar. He was a West Division all-star in 2000 and 2003.

Dickenson played four years at the University of Montana and was Big Sky Conference offensive MVP three times. He led the Grizzles to their first NCAA Division I-AA national title in his senior season and was the nation’s offensive MVP. He still owns most Montana passing records. He was a two-year starter in high school and compiled a 24-0 record, including a state championship. Dickenson lives in Calgary with his wife Tammy and children, Cooper and Avery.

With the addition of Dickenson, the Stamps’ coaching staff is fully intact for the 2009 CFL season, as follows: