EDMONTON — The Edmonton Elks have extended head coach Mark Kilam through the 2029 season, the club announced Wednesday.
Kilam, 47, was hired in December 2024 as the 25th head coach in franchise history. After a 7-11 first season in 2025 that closed with six wins in the final 11 games, he led Edmonton to a West Division-best 13-5 record this year, including an 8-1 mark at home. Both are the club's best results since 2015.
The season brought playoff football back to Edmonton. The Nov. 7 Western Final is the Elks' first playoff game since 2019 and their first home playoff game since 2015. Through two seasons, Kilam is 20-16 in the regular season, including 13-5 at Commonwealth Stadium.
"Mark has done an outstanding job coaching this football team," Elks general manager Ed Hervey said in the release. "From day one, he brought discipline, resilience, and a clear direction for our players. The progress on the field is a direct reflection of his leadership."
"I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to lead the Edmonton Elks into the future," Kilam said in the release. "I am proud of the program we are building, and I believe the best is yet to come."
The Lethbridge product is a familiar name in Calgary. Kilam spent two decades with the Stampeders, joining the club in 2005 and serving as special teams coordinator from 2010 to 2024, adding assistant head coach duties for his final six seasons before taking the Edmonton job.