CFL’s Coates, 52, sparked innovations

WINNIPEG— Shawn Coates, who worked as media relations director for the Blue Bombers and later with the CFL’s head office, died Friday night. He was 52. The cause of death wasn’t immediately known. Coates worked for the Bombers from 200004 before becoming the CFL’s director of football operations until 2007. He established the league’s instant replay program, code of conduct, dress code and sideline policies.