Maas now free to focus on team’s entire operation
Promotion of Walch as offence boss gives head coach more flexibility
Edmonton Eskimos head coaches tend to keep themselves busy.
As the current holder of that title, Jason Maas kicked off 2017 training camp Sunday by making his way around the field of Commonwealth Stadium strictly as the team’s head coach.
It marks a rare moment in recent club history where the head coach hasn’t held some sort of dual role. Chris Jones co-ordinated the defence during his two years as Eskimos head coach. And, while it wasn’t the plan, Kavis Reed was forced to pick up offensive co-ordinating duties after the wheels fell out from under Marcus Crandell in 2012. Richie Hall had mentor Jim Daley co-ordinate the defence in his rookie season as a CFL head coach in 2009, before assuming the role in double duty the following year. Danny Maciocia was head coach from 2005-07 before adding the GM title in 2008.
Even Tom Higgins, before them, split his time as head coach and general manager from 2001-04.
Maas kept the tradition alive by co-ordinating the offence in his rookie season as a CFL head coach, before turning over offensive responsibilities to receivers coach Carson Walch in the off-season.
While it was different, Maas said he didn’t feel constantly drawn to the offence.
“To be quite honest with you, no,” Maas said. “Obviously, I’m always going to be an offensiveminded coach and think about the game through the offensive side of the ball, but it’s nice being the head coach and being able to relinquish those duties and have faith in the coaching staff and be able to look around and see things differently.
“I enjoy that part. Today was different for me but something I was looking forward to and am very thankful for the opportunity to do that.”
Walch is inheriting play-calling duties of an offence that finished second last season in points scored (30.5 per game), first in net yards (418.7 per game), first downs (24.9 per game), second in rushing yards (103.7 per game), second in passing yards (329.0 per game), first in completion percentage (71.0) and second in sacks allowed (31).
Which begs the question, just how much room is there for improvement?
“I don’t know,” Maas said. “I like to think that every decision we make makes the team better,
I’m a realist too and know that you’re not going to be perfect right out of the gate. It’s a process.
I don’t do it for any other reason but thinking it’s going to help. Obviously, when the head coach is watching you or in your meetings, players may perk up a little bit and pay attention more or try harder.
“I would prefer them to try the same and work the same whether I’m there or not, but I know that can sometimes have an effect on people.
“But that’s not the main reason I’m doing it. I’m doing it because I have faith in the guys around me here and giving opportunities. Obviously, when you don’t need to be on the offensive side as much, it allows you to roam a little bit more and I always think that’s a good thing.”
While he’s got a more rounded football focus in practice now, Maas certainly wasn’t looking through rose-coloured glasses on Sunday.
“Lots of good things, lots to correct I’m sure,” Maas said.
“Seeing it on the field, nothing’s perfect. Obviously, you have high expectations going into any season and any practice but ultimately I’m a realist too and know that you’re not going to be perfect right out of the gate.
“It’s a process. We have 16 more practices before we play our first game, and we planned that way. So we’re looking forward to the next one as much as this one and looking forward to film and correcting things.”