Mark Kilam
HEAD COACH
Kilam joins the Edmonton Elks as the 25th Head Coach in the franchise’s history. The 45-year-old spent the previous 20 seasons as a member of the Calgary Stampeders where he most recently served as the team’s Special Teams Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach. Kilam started his coaching career with the Stampeders, joining the club in 2005 as a Strength and Conditioning Coach/Defensive Assistant. He would work his way up to the position coaching ranks as Calgary’s linebackers coach in 2007, before his promotion to Special Teams Coordinator – a title he held until the end of the 2024 season.
His unit featured a (bunch) of Divisional and CFL All-Stars, including punters Burke Dales, Rob Maver, and Cody Grace; kicker Rene Paredes; and returners Larry Taylor and Roy Finch. While a member of the Stampeders, Kilam helped the Southern Alberta team capture three Grey Cup Championships in 2008, 2014, and 2018.
Prior to his time in the Canadian Football League, Kilam coached on the defensive staff of the Southern Alberta All-Star Team in the Provincial Senior Bowl from 2003 to 2005. The Alberta native also coached at the high school level for the Cochrane Cobras, winning three provincial high school championships as a member of the team’s defensive staff from 2002 to 2005.
Kilam began his football career as a student athlete with the University of Alberta Golden Bears, where he played linebacker from 1997 to 2001 and served as a team captain. He graduated with a Bachelor of Physical Education majoring in sport and performance.
COACHING HISTORY:
- 2024-25: Edmonton Elks (CFL) – Head Coach
- 2019-24: Calgary Stampeders (CFL) – Special Teams Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach
- 2010-18: Calgary Stampeders (CFL) – Special Teams Coordinator
- 2007-09: Calgary Stampeders (CFL) – Linebackers/Strength and Conditioning Coach
- 2005-06: Calgary Stampeders (CFL) – Strength and Conditioning Coach/Defensive Assistant