Speculation will continue about Hufnagel, Murphy
Key Stampeders’ employees possible solutions to Saskatchewan’s search
The Calgary Stampeders’ season is over, but speculation regarding some of their key employees is likely to continue.
John Hufnagel coached his final game with the Stampeders on Sunday, when they lost 45-31 to the host Edmonton Eskimos in the CFL’s West Division final.
The Stampeders’ blueprint calls for Hufnagel to remain the team’s general manager while handing the head-coaching reins to Dave Dickenson, who has been the team’s offensive co-ordinator.
“I’m not riding away into the sunset,” Hufnagel, 64, told reporters after the game. “I’ll be in the building and at the games. I’ll still be part of it. I made a decision that I thought was right for the organization and I have no qualms or regrets about it. I think it’s the right decision to make for the football team and the organization.”
Even so, Hufnagel’s name has been bandied about in the media as a possible solution in Saskatchewan, where the Roughriders are looking for a head coach and general manager/vice-president of football operations after a 3-15 season.
Hufnagel confirmed Sunday that the Stampeders’ assistant general manager, John Murphy, is a candidate for the GM’s job in Saskatchewan.
TSN’s Gary Lawless reported Saturday that the Roughriders had requested permission to talk to Murphy and Ottawa Redblacks assistant GM Brock Sunderland. Roughriders president-CEO Craig Reynolds is responsible for hiring a new GM.
“John Murphy is definitely a candidate,” Hufnagel said. “I’ve had discussions with Craig Reynolds about John Murphy.”
Hufnagel was then asked if Murphy is ready to ascend to a GM’s post.
“That’s not my decision to make,” Hufnagel responded. “I’ll let (Reynolds) decide.”
Saskatchewan has been without a full-time GM since Aug. 31, when Brendan Taman was fired alongside head coach Corey Chamblin. The team’s record had dropped to 0-9 one day earlier.
Jeremy O’Day, who began the season as the Roughriders’ assistant GM, succeeded Taman on an interim basis. O’Day is a candidate for the position of full-time GM.
Bob Dyce, who was promoted from the role of special-teams coordinator, finished the 2015 season as Saskatchewan’s interim head coach. Dyce will be a head-coaching candidate if O’Day is hired as the GM.