3 things you missed from the 113th Grey Cup Head Coaches Press Conference

CALGARY -- As the Montreal Alouettes and Edmonton Elks prepare to meet in the 113th Grey Cup, head coaches Jason Maas and Mark Kilam spoke to the media ahead of their matchup on Sunday.

From Edmonton roots to playing in Calgary to how both coaches view Cody Fajardo, here are three things you may have missed from Wednesday's 113th Grey Cup Head Coaches Press Conference.

THE EDMONTON ROOTS

Kilam was born in Edmonton and has now coached his team to the 113th Grey Cup in his second season with the team.

The opportunity to lead his hometown franchise and compete for the Grey Cup means everything to him.

"I was born in Edmonton, I grew up in Lethbridge, but then I played at U of A. It means more that we brought back some pride in the Double E," shared the Elks' coach in the Head Coaches Press Conference. "I think going back a week and seeing 40,000 people screaming in that stadium, driving through the city, and seeing flags of the team, and seeing people wearing the colours again, that's what you take pride in.

"That's what you draw the emotion from, is that we've inspired belief in the football team again, and that's big time."

Maas began his CFL career as a quarterback in Edmonton, playing for the franchise from 2000 to 2005 before returning for another stint from 2008 to 2011. During that time, he won two Grey Cups with the team, in 2003 and 2005.

Maas returned to the team to be the head coach and offensive coordinator from 2016 to 2019.

"I have a ton of pride, having played and coached there," said Maas. "I have a ton of friends that are on that staff, and in that organization that I have gone to battle with and all that. And to see them being successful, and the pride come back to the city, I think it's tremendous. It gives me a lot of pride as well, being an ex-player and an ex-coach there, to see it."

SIGNIFICANCE OF PLAYING IN CALGARY

Having spent 20 seasons with the Calgary Stampeders in various coaching and coordinator roles, Kilam was the assistant head coach of the Stamps before taking the head coaching job in Edmonton in 2025.

He has countless memories of the city and the team over those two decades in Calgary.

"Very fortunate to be in the same place for 20 years. It doesn't happen in professional football, so I was extremely grateful for that opportunity," shared the Elks' head coach. "Lots of connections in the community, if there's somebody in the stands that thought I did a good job and recognizes the curls on the sideline and gives me a wave, then I'll wave right back to them."

Maas remembered the first game he played, making his debut in the league with Edmonton, which took place in Calgary at McMahon Stadium.

"I got an opportunity to go on the field in the second half, and finish that game," Maas remembered. "I didn't play the rest of the year, but that first year I was up here, my very first game as a rookie, it was in Calgary, that was a very memorable moment."

CODY FAJARDO IN THE EYES OF HIS CURRENT AND FORMER HEAD COACH

Cody Fajardo will be making his third appearance in the Grey Cup, his second start in the championship game, having won twice before (2017 as the backup quarterback with Toronto and 2023 as the Grey Cup MVP with Montreal).

Fajardo was traded from the Als to the Elks before the 2025 season and has brought Kilam's team to the 113th Grey Cup in his second season with the team.

"I see what Cody does on a day-to-day basis," said Kilam. "I see the way that he elevates the franchise and elevates his teammates. I see what it means to him. I see the sacrifices that he puts in."

"I see him leave his heart on the football field every time he plays," Kilam continued. "That's the stuff that I respect. That's what Cody means to our football team. He means a lot."

Fajardo, a 10-year veteran, played two seasons for Maas in Montreal (2023-2024) and won the Grey Cup in his first season there.

"I have the utmost respect for Cody. I've been in the building with Cody. I've seen him grow. I've seen him compete," said Maas about his former quarterback. "He does it on a day-to-day basis, and plays the best football when it matters the most, always."