| Edmonton Elks | |
 Kilam with the Stampeders in 2024 | |
| Born: | (1979-04-22)April 22, 1979 (age 45)[1][2] Lethbridge, Alberta |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| University | Alberta Golden Bears |
| High school | Lethbridge Collegiate Institute |
| Career history | |
| As coach | |
| 2005–2009 | Calgary Stampeders (Strength and conditioning coach) |
| 2005–2006 | Calgary Stampeders (Defensive assistant) |
| 2007–2009 | Calgary Stampeders (Linebackers coach) |
| 2010–2024 | Calgary Stampeders (Special teams coordinator) |
| 2019–2024 | Calgary Stampeders (Assistant head coach) |
| 2025–present | Edmonton Elks (Head coach) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Mark Kilam (born April 22, 1979) is a Canadian professionalfootball coach who is thehead coach of theEdmonton Elks of theCanadian Football League (CFL). He is a three-timeGrey Cup champion as an assistant coach with theCalgary Stampeders, having won in2008,2014, and2018.
Kilam was born to parents Surender and Jan, both of whom are doctors.[3] He grew up inLethbridge,Alberta where he attendedLethbridge Collegiate Institute.[4]
Kilam playedCIAU football as alinebacker for theAlberta Golden Bears from 1997 to 2001.[4]
Kilam began his coaching career as a defensive assistant coach for theCochrane High School Cobras from 2002 to 2005 where the team won three provincial high school championships.[5] He also coached for the Southern Alberta All-Star Team in the Provincial Senior Bowl from 2003 to 2005.[4][5]
Kilam was hired by theCalgary Stampeders for the2005 season as the strength and conditioning coach.[5] In 2006, he also added the title of defensive quality control coach.[6] In the following season, he was promoted tolinebackers coach and served in that capacity for three years.[5] He won his firstGrey Cup championship when the Stampeders defeated theMontreal Alouettes in the96th Grey Cup game in2008.
On December 8, 2009, Kilam was promoted tospecial teams coordinator for the Stampeders.[6] He won his first Grey Cup as a coordinator following the team's102nd Grey Cup victory over theHamilton Tiger-Cats in2014. He won his third Grey Cup when the Stampeders won the106th Grey Cup in2018.[4] In2019, Kilam was given the title ofassistant head coach, in addition to his special teams duties.[7]
On October 30, 2024, after the Stampeders missed the playoffs for the first time since2004, the team announced that they were not retaining Kilam for the 2025 season.[8]
On November 30, 2024, it was first reported that Kilam had accepted the position ofhead coach of theEdmonton Elks.[9] On December 2, 2024, it was officially announced by the Elks that he had been named the 25th head coach in franchise history.[10]
Kilam and his wife, Andrea, have two daughters.[5] He is on the board of directors for the Lethbridge Vipers in their bid to join theCanadian Junior Football League.[11]