Early search for coach stymied
It’s denial after denial as front office seeks replacement for Chris Jones
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are accustomed to being denied but, this time, their punt-and-grunt offence cannot be blamed.
The latest denials are courtesy of the Ottawa Redblacks and Winnipeg Blue Bombers, two rival CFL teams that have reportedly rebuffed the Roughriders as they search for a head coach to replace Chris Jones.
TSN’S Dave Naylor reported Saturday that Ottawa had refused to grant Saskatchewan permission to interview offensive co-ordinator Jamie Elizondo.
Then came Naylor’s Sunday report that Winnipeg will not allow the Roughriders to talk to offensive co-ordinator Paul Lapolice.
“The calendar appears to be the issue” in both cases, Naylor tweeted.
The Roughriders have had a head-coaching void since Jones resigned Tuesday in order to become a senior defensive assistant with the NFL’S Cleveland Browns.
Although Jones accessed an escape hatch that allowed him to pursue opportunities in the NFL or NCAA, it is doubtful that the Roughriders would have stood in his way even if the contractual clause had not existed.
“Organizationally, we have a culture of not holding our people back,” Roughriders president-ceo Craig Reynolds said Friday after Jeremy O’day was named the general manager and vice-president of football operations.
Philosophically, there does seem to be a different mindset in Ottawa and Winnipeg, although Elizondo and Lapolice had been free to check out head-coaching opportunities earlier in the off-season.
Elizondo would have been an intriguing candidate due to his rapport with Redblacks star quarterback Trevor Harris, a pending free agent.
Lapolice, for his part, has choreographed an offence that helped Winnipeg lead the league in points scored in each of the past two seasons.
Saskatchewan would have been a comfortable fit for Lapolice, who was the Roughriders’ receivers coach (in 2007) and offensive co-ordinator (2008 and 2009).
But even if the Bombers had given Lapolice their blessing to investigate the situation in Saskatchewan, could he have been suitably enticed?
He is already in a very good situation and can therefore afford to be selective.
Is Saskatchewan a “drop everything and move there” destination from a coaching perspective?
Under different circumstances, this would be a plum job. Does that label apply this time?
Not long ago, the affluent Roughriders would have been able to use money as an inducement, but the CFL’S newly enacted football-operations salary cap has changed everything.
Due to the cap, the Roughriders’ new head coach will be forced to inherit most, if not all, of Jones’ assistants. Ideally, a head coach would be able to build his own staff.
In many cases, a head coach is only as good (or as bad) as his quarterback. After the Zach Collaros/brandon Bridge err show of 2018, the Roughriders are starting from scratch behind centre.
If you are a noted offensive coach such as Lapolice, Elizondo or (here’s that name again) Marc Trestman, do you peruse the Roughriders’ quarterbacking depth chart and reach for the Advil?
Even if the Roughriders can land a reputable quarterback, what about the receiving corps?
Consider, for a moment, the fact that O’day has more career touchdown catches (two) than Shaq Evans, who did not reach the end zone last season despite leading the Roughriders in receiving yards (785).
O’day was an offensive lineman, by the way.
As the GM, he must now go on the offensive in the hope of finding a difference-making head coach, while dealing with obstructions that wouldn’t normally be part of such a process.
It is rare for a team to deny a coach an opportunity at professional advancement. It is just as uncommon, though, for the head coach to bolt in mid-january and create a chaotic search for a successor.
So now what? Trestman, whose candidacy was strenuously advanced in this cherished space, does not appear to be on the Roughriders’ radar.
That leaves Craig Dickenson as the best bet.
The Roughriders’ congenial special-teams co-ordinator would be a convenient, yet credible, choice.
The hiring of Dickenson would create minimal disruption in terms of personnel or personality.
He could continue in the role of special teams co-ordinator while overseeing the entire on-field operation. The remaining step would be to appoint a defensive co-ordinator to replace Jones.
Dickenson is also a jolly good fellow, which nobody can deny.