CHAMBLIN STAYS PUT
Head coach Corey Chamblin, who led the Riders to a Grey Cup trophy, signs a four-year contract extension with the Green and White.
REGINA — One contract extension down, two to go for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
he Riders announced Thursday that head coach Corey Chamblin has signed a four-year contract extension. With Chamblin locked up through the 2017 CFL season, Riders general manager Brendan Taman said he will continue to work on a contract extension for quarterback Darian Durant. Durant is entering the option year of a contract that he signed in 2012.
“There is no doubt that Darian is a huge part of what we do here,” said Taman, who has two years remaining on a contract that he signed in 2013. “He’s a huge part of what I need to get done here shortly. Now that Corey is off the agenda, I need to work on that one very hard. I’ve been chipping away at it lately and now we’re into the serious discussions. I’m optimistic that we’re making headway. I’m hoping in the next month or so that we can get something worked out.”
Taman would like to have a deal in place with Durant before the upcoming season.
“I’m not prepared for him to play out the season in his option year and we’re going to do everything we can to get it done in the spring,” he said.
Taman isn’t as concerned about his own contract status.
“That takes care of itself,” said Taman, whose deal runs through the 2015 season. “(Riders president and CEO Jim Hopson) and I have a great relationship. I’m not worried about that. It’s not up to me and all of those things take care of themselves.”
Taman felt it was a good time to take care of Chamblin, who was headed into the final year of his contract. Financial terms of Chamblin’s new contract were not disclosed, but the duration is the longest contract for a Riders head coach since Eagle Keys signed a five-year deal on Dec. 3, 1966.
Chamblin, 36, earned the contract extension after guiding the Riders to a 45-23 victory over the Hamilton TigerCats in the 2013 Grey Cup game. He was also named the 2013 CFL coach of the year in February.
“When I look at this from a professional standpoint, this is where I’m supposed to be,” he said Thursday. “I definitely believe in timing for everything. It’s a great fit for my family. I still have a very good quarterback and that’s the biggest thing ... I think I have a great core of players, a great coaching staff and management.”
“Right now, the pot is still full and I’m going to live with it.”
Chamblin joked that he may not have re-signed if Durant wasn’t around. The third-year head coach does recognize Durant’s importance to the team going forward.
“He’s a Grey Cup-winning quarterback,” Chamblin said. “He may have some ups and downs during the regular season, but he’s an impeccable player in the playoffs.”
Durant is also on board with Chamblin’s extension.
“Congrats to Coach C on that extension ... well deserved!” Durant posted on his Twitter account before Thursday’s media conference.
The extension comes as Chamblin heads into third season as the Riders’ head coach. He has guided the Riders to an overall regularseason record of 19-17 and 3-1 in the playoffs. Chamblin appreciated the commitment the Riders exhibited in signing him to a four-year contract.
“It shows that I’m the guy and they believe in what I’ve done,” he said. “As a young coach without any experience, they took a chance on me. Right now they’re saying that I can be around for a long time and let’s build a great future.”