Quick Facts
Biography
Adam Rita (Born September 21, 1947) is a Canadian Football League executive who has served as the head coach of Toronto Argonauts, Ottawa Rough Riders, and BC Lions and as general manager of the Lions and Argonauts.
Rita first began his CFL coaching career in 1983 as the offensive co-ordinator for the B.C. Lions. He first became a CFL Head Coach in 1991 with the Toronto Argonauts with whom he won his first and only Grey Cup championship as a Head Coach in that same year.
Rita grew up on Kaua'i, Hawai'i and as a young boy, he was a member of a canoe club and appeared paddling a canoe in the wedding scene of the Elvis Presley movie Blue Hawaii.
Rita has two sons, Kevin and Harrison and two grandchildren Seth and Jennifer.
In 2004, Rita was named General Manager and Vice President of Football Operations of the Toronto Argonauts. Toronto won the 92nd Grey Cup in his first year on the job, but managed only a 48–60 record after that. Rita's contract was not renewed following the 2010 season and he was replaced by head coach Jim Barker.
CFL GM record
| Team | Year | Regular Season | Post Season | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won | Lost | Ties | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Result | |||
| BC | 1997 | 8 | 10 | 0 | .444 | 4th in West Division | 0 | 1 | Lost in East Semi-Final | |
| BC | 1998 | 9 | 9 | 0 | .500 | 3rd in West Division | 0 | 1 | Lost in West Semi-Final | |
| BC | 1999 | 13 | 5 | 0 | .750 | 1st in West Division | 0 | 1 | Lost in West Final | |
| BC | 2000 | 8 | 10 | 0 | .444 | 3rd in West Division | 3 | 0 | Won Grey Cup | |
| BC | 2001 | 8 | 10 | 0 | .444 | 3rd in West Division | 0 | 1 | Lost in West Semi-Final | |
| BC | 2002 | 10 | 8 | 0 | .750 | 3rd in West Division | 0 | 1 | Lost in East Semi-Final | |
| TOR | 2003 | 9 | 9 | 0 | .500 | 2nd in West Division | 1 | 1 | Lost in East Final | |
| TOR | 2004 | 10 | 7 | 1 | .588 | 2nd in East Division | 3 | 0 | Won Grey Cup | |
| TOR | 2005 | 11 | 7 | 0 | .611 | 1st in East Division | 0 | 1 | Lost in East Final | |
| TOR | 2006 | 10 | 8 | 0 | .556 | 2nd in East Division | 1 | 1 | Lost in East Final | |
| TOR | 2007 | 11 | 7 | 0 | .611 | 1st in East Division | 0 | 1 | Lost in East Final | |
| TOR | 2008 | 4 | 14 | 0 | .222 | 3rd in East Division | - | - | Failed to Qualify | |
| TOR | 2009 | 3 | 15 | 0 | .167 | 4th in East Division | - | - | Failed to Qualify | |
| TOR | 2010 | 9 | 9 | 0 | .500 | 3rd in East Division | 1 | 1 | Lost in East Final | |
| Total | 122 | 128 | 1 | .488 | 3 Division Championships | 9 | 10 | 2 Grey Cups | ||
CFL coaching record
| Team | Year | Regular Season | Post Season | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won | Lost | Ties | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Result | |||
| TOR | 1991 | 13 | 5 | 0 | .722 | 1st in East Division | 2 | 0 | Won Grey Cup | |
| TOR | 1992 | 3 | 8 | 0 | .273 | 4th in East Division | – | – | Fired Midseason | |
| OTT | 1994 | 4 | 14 | 0 | .222 | 4th in East Division | 0 | 1 | Lost in East Semi-Final | |
| BC | 1997 | 8 | 10 | 0 | .444 | 4th in West Division | 0 | 1 | Lost in Division Semifinals | |
| BC | 1998 | 2 | 6 | 0 | .250 | 4th in West Division | – | – | Resigned Midseason | |
| BC | 2002 | 9 | 3 | 0 | .750 | 3rd in West Division | 0 | 1 | Lost in Division Semifinals | |
| Total | 40 | 46 | 0 | .465 | 1 Division Championships | 2 | 3 | 1 Grey Cup | ||