The accolades keep piling up for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and this time, it’s both the head coach and the front office getting their due.

The accolades keep piling up for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and this time, it’s both the head coach and the front office getting their due.

Corey Mace has been named the 2025 CFL Coach of the Year, earning the Annis Stukus Award for the first time in his career after being nominated in back-to-back seasons. The honour comes on the heels of a dominant year that saw the Roughriders post a league-best 12-6 record and capture the West Division title.

And for Mace, the recognition goes far beyond just one person.


 

“It would be sweet, I think, for the organization,” Mace said. “You know, a lot of things go into somebody accepting that award, and it’s beyond me. So it would just be another cool thing for the organization, no doubt.”

The Riders’ success in 2025 was built on a complete team effort. Saskatchewan allowed a CFL-low 22.7 points per game and just 76 rushing yards per contest, while also producing the second-best net offence at 382.6 yards per game.

That balance carried all the way through the postseason, culminating in a Grey Cup victory over the Montreal Alouettes, the franchise’s fifth championship.

Mace’s impact hasn’t just been felt on the field, either. According to general manager Jeremy O’Day, it starts with how he connects with his players.

“Corey, he’s got a special gift of being able to relate with all the players,” O’Day said. “Whether you’re a player from a farm in Alberta or you’re from Los Angeles, he’s got the ability to communicate with all of our players. Very motivational, understands the players very well.”

O’Day added, “he’s obviously been in the locker room before, but he has a good feel for what the players are going through, relates to them, and he cares about them. That’s, I think, the biggest thing when you go into games, you really feel like the players want to play for him as well as each other. And that makes all the difference.”

While Mace took home top coaching honours, the Roughriders’ football operations staff was also recognized, receiving the inaugural Ted Goveia Football Operations Award. The new award celebrates excellence in scouting, roster construction, and leadership, all areas in which Saskatchewan excelled during its championship run.

The awards were handed out in Edmonton as part of the CFL’s Coach of the Year Celebration ahead of the league’s 2026 Combine.