Alouettes sing praises of interim head coach
‘We need somebody in touch with the players,’ Carter says of Chapdelaine
One of the central figures who might be among the most heavily scrutinized players now that the Alouettes have changed head coaches, said he has no problem with the promotion of Jacques Chapdelaine.
Of course, as the receivers coach, Chapdelaine has been working with Duron Carter on a daily basis since training camp.
“It starts at the top. He holds himself to a high standard. He holds the receivers to a high standard and I think that trickles down,” Carter said. “He’s a nice guy, but he also has moral values. He doesn’t take any bull from anybody. I think it’ll be a good fit.
“We need somebody that’s in touch with the players.”
Carter was fined by the Als this season after knocking down Ottawa head coach Rick Campbell during a game. He also has been involved in a pair of recent practice incidents that revolved around disagreements with quarterback Rakeem Cato and receiver Kenny Stafford. Cato, the central figure in this love — or hate — triangle shoved Carter, the Als’ leading receiver, last week.
On a Monday afternoon conference call, after it was announced he was replacing Jim Popp as Montreal’s head coach on an interim basis, Chapdelaine admitted one of his immediate mandates is to restore order to the hierarchy.
“We have to establish structure and the lines of communication and work structure that will help us reach greater efficiency and harmony,” Chapdelaine said. “A young quarterback with a certain amount of pressure on his shoulders, with a mix of other circumstances, has led to his emotional display that wasn’t desirable. We have to see how we can provide a better structure.”
The Als are on a bye week, but will return to practice this Sunday to begin preparing for their next game, Oct. 2, against Toronto. Chapdelaine, who will return to Montreal from his Abbotsford, B.C., home on Thursday, will meet his assistant coaches and expects to have individual meetings with certain players, at which point he’ll let them know his expectations.
“I have to explain very precisely what I expect from them,” he said. “They need to understand what the consequences would be should they fail to meet those expectations.”
Chapdelaine hasn’t said whether he’ll begin calling the plays, supplanting inexperienced offensive coordinator Anthony Calvillo in that role, but admitted Cato will remain the starting quarterback. Chapdelaine has more than a decade of experience as a Canadian Football League OC, holding that position with four franchises. The Als, of course, have one of the league’s worst attacks, having been held to under 20 points in eight of 12 games.
Immediately after Chapdelaine’s hiring was announced, Carter tweeted a link to the story, accompanied by an emoji of a grinning face with smiling eyes.
“I think Jacques is a more than capable coach. I’m excited,” Carter said. “He’s an offensive mind. Him having more power will work out for us. I think he’s in a better position now to influence the offence. He just has a knack for calling plays. He knows exactly what to call. Him having that authority now, that will give us a dynamic that (other teams) aren’t ready for.”
Tailback Tyrell Sutton has taken a more cautious approach but believes, given Chapdelaine’s experience, the transition should be smooth and easy, although this marks his first job as a head coach at the pro level.
“We’re trying to figure out how to win. This is what happens when you’re losing. You try to find out what the best available options are. You try those options at all costs,” Sutton said. “He’s cool with everybody. The respect will be there.”
Centre Luc Brodeur-Jourdain said Chapdelaine has paid his dues and deserves an opportunity. More importantly, according to the veteran player, Chapdelaine has worked with a vast array of quarterbacks and should be able to develop Cato.
“Now he has the power to run a team the way he wants. I know he has a strong work ethic. He wants effort and discipline,” BrodeurJourdain said. “His vision of an offence is more than one-sided.”
Chapdelaine’s promotion came as a surprise. With two assistant head coaches on the staff, it was expected special-teams coordinator Kavis Reed, a former Edmonton head coach, would be next in line. But Reed, who couldn’t be reached for comment, was bypassed along with defensive coordinator Noel Thorpe.
Thorpe has been in contact with Chapdelaine and offered his congratulations. “These opportunities don’t come around too often. I’m appreciative of someone that gets the opportunity and supportive of them,” said Thorpe, a bridesmaid yet again in this process.
“I have a high level of respect for what Jacques has done in this league from an offensive standpoint.”
Wally Buono, the league’s career leader in coaching victories — Chapdelaine worked under him in both Calgary and British Columbia — said he must be true to himself as he launches his career.
“If the players want to turn the s--- around, they’ll rally around him,” said Buono, the Lions’ general manager and head coach. “If I’m losing with you, I can lose without you. So what the hell do I need you for?
“I would bring those knuckleheads in and say you’re either with me or you’re not. At least get your message across.”