Reed tries to contain Popp speculation
‘I can’t ... fathom how someone could extrapolate that he wasn’t returning’
What Kavis Reed said he hoped would be a magnanimous gesture has now taken on a life of its own, leading to speculation Alouettes’ general manager Jim Popp won’t return as the team’s head coach following a bye week in the schedule.
And given the repeated bizarre circumstances that have plagued the team this season, should anyone be surprised?
“I’m completely dumbfounded as to how this could have turned into a story of Jim not returning,” Reed told the Montreal Gazette by telephone while awaiting a flight home for the team’s week-long break. “I knew what kind of week Jim was having in terms of a personal situation that happened. As a former head coach, you understand how things can compound.
“I thought it would be a good gesture.”
The Als lost their fourth consecutive game Friday night at Hamilton, but fought to the end before being edged 20-17 by the Tiger-Cats, losing on a final-play field goal. Montreal now has a 3-9 record. With six games remaining, the team is five points behind Ottawa (5-5-1) in the East Division. Only two teams from that side of the bracket are expected to qualify for the playoffs. The Ticats (6-6) sit first.
Following Friday’s game Reed, the Als’ special teams co-ordinator and an assistant head coach, presented Popp with the game ball, announcing to the players Popp had coached with a heavy heart. Reed didn’t provide details, although one of Popp’s sons was involved in an automobile accident last week.
According to a published report on Saturday on the 3DownNation website, Reed told the players Popp wouldn’t be returning. Popp didn’t return with the team by train to Montreal on Saturday morning. Instead, he went to Buffalo to catch a flight home to North Carolina.
“I just can’t in any way, as I recount the statement, fathom how someone could extrapolate that he wasn’t returning. I’m just dumbfounded,” Reed said. “Nothing has ever been said about him not returning — or intimated to me. That’s what’s perplexing about this whole story. I was trying to do something nice. I was trying to be supportive of the head coach. I never stopped to think that it would be misconstrued.
“When a person loses their integrity, they have nothing left. I would never lie to you,” Reed continued, with emphasis. “I might say I have no comment, but I would never lie to you.”
Two players contacted by the Montreal Gazette have confirmed Reed’s version; nothing was said about Popp not returning.
Popp gave no indication following the game a coaching change was forthcoming, but neither did he emphatically state at the time he was definitely returning. He said matters of that significance are reviewed with senior management, including owner Robert Wetenhall, on a weekly basis.
“Call Kavis. He gave me a ball. Nice gesture,” Popp texted to the Montreal Gazette. He subsequently told TSN he hadn’t stepped down as the Als’ head coach, then told RDS, unless something’s decided differently, he’ll remain in both positions following the bye week.
Contacted by the Montreal Gazette via text, Als president Mark Weightman initially refused comment, but then indicated there was nothing to report.
If management’s contemplating a coaching change, the bye week would be the perfect time to make such a significant move as the team is under no immediate time constraint with a game only days away. And it would hardly come as a shock to see Popp removed as head coach, given his track record in the position.
Tom Higgins was fired in August 2015 — following a victory at Vancouver — with the team at 3-5. He was replaced by Popp, but the Als showed no improvement, going 3-6. They also lost a game at Edmonton under defensive coordinator Noel Thorpe that Popp missed because of a medical condition. In other words, the Als have lost 15 of 21 games under Popp since Higgins’ firing.
Popp has coached the Als on four other occasions and has a regularseason record of 22-35. Counting playoffs, his overall mark is 23-39.
Reed’s comments notwithstanding, Als players found the timing of the presentation curious at best, coming following a defeat.
“A weird game-ball presentation that leads me to believe Popp won’t be back after the bye week,” said one. Texted another: “A lot of the guys were speculating afterward it was more of a setup for them to say Jim’s going to stay in N.C. for a little and continue his duties as GM from there and Kavis will take over as head coach for the rest of the year.”
Also, one of Popp’s family members travelled to the game, stood outside the dressing room and filmed his post-game scrum on her phone.
Should a coaching change come, Popp likely will be replaced either by Reed or Thorpe. Reed, 43, was Edmonton’s head coach for three years, going 22-32 between 201113. The Eskimos had one winning season, but made the playoffs twice. He’s in his second year with Montreal.
“This is about being loyal to the Wetenhall family and, by extension, being loyal to Jim Popp,” Reed said. “As a coach, I think all of our energy has to be directed toward doing what’s right to get two points and making certain this organization looks good. This is a storied franchise that needs all of us pulling in the right direction.”