Monson has tough act to follow in Claybrooks

If it’s true, then it’s true to form for the Grey Cup kings.

The Calgary Stampeders appear to have hired from within to fill their vacant defensive coordinator position.

Word is Brent Monson, the team’s linebackers coach, fits the bill for the CFL champions.

The reports came just hours after former DC DeVone Claybrooks departed the Red & White to take on the new challenge of head coach of the B.C. Lions.

It’s another bid by the Stampeders to provide a seamless transition within their coaching staff, a philosophy that’s proven successful under president- GM John Hufnagel.

Just as with Claybrooks when he was promoted to defensive co-ordinator in 2015 after four seasons as the team’s defensive line coach, the Stamps are elevating Monson after he spent four years as a position coach.

Monson became the linebackers coach in 2015 after five previous seasons as strength and conditioning coach. He also had the added duties of linebackers coach in 2010, defensive line coach in 2011 and running backs coach from 2012-14.

So the Hamilton native has been with the club for nine years, helping to mould a dominant franchise — primarily its staunch defence — under, first, head coach Hufnagel, and, second, Dave Dickenson.

Hufnagel did the same with Dickenson, who served as position coach — both as running backs and quarterbacks boss — for two years previous to taking on the offensive co-ordinator gig and then his current post as head coach.

It’s certainly a pattern of Hufnagel’s.

And it’s one that most certainly works for the Stampeders, with all their success of the past decade.

Plus it’s clear Hufnagel and Dickenson trust Monson to step into the role, despite never before taking the reins as a coordinator.

The quickness with which the decision was made is proof of that.

It was only Tuesday that Claybrooks accepted the post with the Lions.

As for Monson’s resume, his linebacking crew has been integral in helping the Stampeders allow the fewest points in the CFL the last two seasons.

Plus Monson has helped establish Alex Singleton as a league force, as Singleton was named the 2017 CFL defensive player of the year and a league all-star in each of the last two campaigns.

Joining middle linebacker Singleton on a stellar crew has been weak-side linebacker Jameer Thurman, who has joined Singleton this month in working out for NFL teams, and strong-side man Jamar Wall, which has further proven Monson’s worth as a sharp defensive mind.

Monson is a graduate of McMaster University.

MITCHELL WORKS OUT FOR BRONCOS

Reports out of Colorado had Stampeders QB Bo Levi Mitchell being worked out by the NFL’s Denver Broncos earlier this week.

The Tuesday workout was his second of a dozen or so scheduled to showcase his skill for NFL teams.

The CFL’s most outstanding player showed his stuff for the Minnesota Vikings last week.

THURMAN, VAUGHTERS WORK OUT FOR BEARS

Thurman and fellow Stamps defender James Vaughters were among those players working out for the Chicago Bears on Wednesday, according to reports out of Chicago.

Last week, linebacker Thurman, who had 82 defensive tackles and 16 more on special teams for the Red & White, worked out for the Vikings.

Vaughters is a defensive lineman who had five sacks in 16 games for the Stamps this past season.