The 2002 BC Lions finished in third place in the West Division with a 10–8 record. After beginning the season with a 1–5 record, general manager Adam Rita fired head coach Steve Buratto and coached the team on an interim basis for the rest of the year. He guided the group to a 9–3 turnaround which led to an appearance in the West-Semi Final. Despite the turnaround, Rita was fired as general manager/coach after the playoff loss.