Grey Cup coaching showdown: Jason Maas and Mark Kilam bring different paths to the same destination

When the Montreal Alouettes and Edmonton Elks square off in Sunday’s 113th Grey Cup at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, the sidelines will feature two coaches who know plenty about winning championships — and even more about the pressure that comes with trying to win another.

Jason Maas has already climbed the mountain as a head coach. Mark Kilam is looking to make his first trip to the summit.

Maas knows the territory

For Maas, this is becoming familiar territory. The former quarterback is making his third Grey Cup appearance in four seasons leading the Alouettes, having captured the championship in 2023 before coming up short in 2025.

His connection to Edmonton runs deep. Maas won two championships as a player with the franchise in 2003 and 2005 before returning as head coach from 2016 through 2019.

Never one to disguise his emotions on the sidelines, Maas has developed a reputation for demanding football and meticulous preparation. This season, he handed offensive play-calling duties to Anthony Calvillo, freeing himself to oversee the bigger picture.

The result was a Montreal offense that led the CFL in net yards.

Kilam brings Edmonton back

Kilam’s journey has been considerably different.

After spending two decades with the Calgary Stampeders, collecting three Grey Cup rings and establishing himself among the league’s premier special teams coaches, the Edmonton native finally received his opportunity to run a team.

He has wasted little time making an impression.

The Elks, who finished 7–11 in 2025, surged to 13–5 and captured the West Division title in his first season at the helm.

Kilam has brought energy, accountability and a renewed sense of belief to a franchise that had spent too long watching the postseason from home.

A championship with extra meaning

There is no shortage of irony in the setting.

Kilam spent 20 years helping Calgary win championships. Now he returns to the city trying to win one for its provincial rival.

Maas, meanwhile, has an opportunity to deny the franchise where he once played and coached its first championship since 2015.

One coach is looking to cement an already impressive legacy. The other is trying to establish his own.

Both know that Sunday will ultimately be decided by the players. But the men directing them have compelling stories of their own.