Toronto Argonauts running back Andrew Harris celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Montreal Alouettes in the CFL East final. (Mark Blinch/The Canadian Press)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

he's back

CFL star Andrew Harris returning to his roots as VI Raiders head of operations

Feb 12, 2023 | 8:40 AM

NANAIMO — A former Vancouver Island Raider turned CFL standout is coming back to the team as their new head of football operations.

Effective immediately, four-time Grey Cup champion Andrew Harris is the new head of football operations for the VI Raiders, and will be the head coach for the 2024 season.

Harris played for the Raiders for five years right out of high school, bringing the team to three national Canadian Junior Football Championships (2006, 2008, and 2009), as well as breaking a number of B.C. conference and Canadian Junior Football league (CJFL) records.

“I want to take this passion that I have for the sport and build something great for these young up-and-coming players and of course win some championships”.

Harris said his five years in Nanaimo as a young player were pivotal in his training and football career.

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He’s signed to a five-year contract with the Raiders, and will oversee all football operations and decisions. He’ll move into the head coaching role in 2024, with the team opting to hire an interim coach for this season after Curtis Vizza stepped down.

President of the VIU Raiders Kabel Atwall said Harris will be a great ambassador for the team.

“He will have a great rapport with players, coaches, recruits, and board members and our treasured fans.”

On the same day of this announcement, Harris signed a one-year contract extension with the Toronto Argonauts. Harris, 35, was slated to become a free agent on Tuesday.

This will be a huge boost for the Raiders, who have suffered a number of unfortunate setbacks in the last few years.

In September 2021, about $15,000 worth of equipment was stolen from their changing rooms at Comox Gyro Park.

Then in the summer 2022, a fire badly damaged their practice facility, followed by a break-in and theft of $50,000 worth of equipment in the fall.

Harris, his partner Danica and family plan to make Nanaimo their home.

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