CFL legend Tom Clements retires from NFL coaching ranks (again)

Photo: AP/Mike Roemer

Tom Clements has retired from coaching — again. Matt LaFleur, the head coach of the Green Bay Packers, made the announcement on Tuesday morning after his team was eliminated from playoff contention by the Philadelphia Eagles this past weekend.

Clements came out of retirement in 2022 to serve as Green Bay’s quarterbacks coach, a role he held for three seasons. He spent 11 years in a previous stint with the organization, serving as the quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator, and assistant head coach of the Packers from 2006 to 2016, helping the team win Super Bowl XLV.

The native of McKees Rocks, Pa. got his first coaching job at Notre Dame, his alma mater, in 1992. After a four-year stint as the team’s quarterbacks coach, he moved on to stints with the New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Buffalo Bills before joining the Packers. He also had a stint with the Arizona Cardinals in 2019 and 2020.

Clements played 13 seasons in the CFL as a member of the Ottawa Rough Riders, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Winnipeg Blue Bombers, throwing for 39,041 yards, 252 touchdowns and 214 interceptions.

The seven-time all-star was named the league’s Most Outstanding Rookie in 1975, won two Grey Cups, and was named Most Outstanding Player in 1984. He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1994.