Dave is known for his long coaching career in the Canadian Football League. His first stint as head coach started in British Columbia in 1993 where he would spend three seasons, compiling a record of 31-22-1, while leading the Lions to a Grey Cup championship in 1994. It would be his lone Grey Cup victory as head coach. He would then go on to be head coach in Montreal and Winnipeg, the latter being the stint he is most remembered for, and would conclude his head coaching career with 108 victories.
During his time with the Lions, Dave was a tremendous supporter of amateur football in the province. Working closely with Patrick Waslen – then executive director of Football BC – Dave always ensured that Lions players and staff frequently visited and assisted at the annual Senior Bowl camp which took place at the Lions training facility.
In total as a coach, including that 1994 victory with the Lions, Ritchie has won the Grey Cup three times. He also spent time coaching in Switzerland.
Dave was inducted into the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Hall of Fame in 2014. Prior to coaching in Canada, Dave coached at Fairmont State University in West Virginia.
He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2022 in the Builders’ category.
