CAMPBELL BIDS ADIEU AS REDBLACKS BOSS
Cites love for team, but differences with GM in emotional farewell after abysmal season
An emotional Rick Campbell fought back tears, choosing his words carefully as he talked about stepping down as Ottawa Redblacks head coach at a news conference late Monday morning.
Three days after the Redblacks wrapped up a horrible 3-15 season, Campbell told the throng of media in attendance that it was a tough day because he was so emotionally attached to the team, the football fans and the city.
“There are some pretty magic moments I won’t forget, I’m going to remember to remember those moments,” said Campbell, who then paused for more than half a minute to gather his composure. “I’d say I’m sorry, but
I’m not sorry ... I’m sad. Going down Bank Street in the Grey Cup parade, are you kidding me? Literally through my neighbourhood. That’s good s--- right there, pardon my language. I’m going to remember the good stuff, I appreciate it.”
Campbell, who had one year remaining on his contract, was Redblacks head coach from 2014 right through to this season. The Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, owners of the Redblacks, have agreed to pay Campbell
for the 2020 season and will allow him to seek employment elsewhere. There is a mitigation clause in his contract where he will be paid less by the Redblacks if he gets a good job elsewhere — and you can bet there will be opposing teams who are interested. There is a non-player salary cap in the CFL, so Campbell’s 2020 pay will be charged to the team’s cap, but extended over a five-year period.
Campbell spoke about being on a different page than general manager Marcel Desjardins — both had one year remaining on their contracts — and about how tough it was to see players come and go, some of them guys he wanted to see remain Redblacks.
“Not to get into all the specifics, but I really didn’t like it when there were people who left here with a bad taste in their mouth — the list was getting a little long,” Campbell said. “You have to treat people well, you have to treat them right, empower them, value them. If you do that, people will go through the wall for you; if you don’t, it can make it tougher.
“I just want to make sure all the people who have left this place feel appreciated and feel valued. It wasn’t a power play or anything like that. It was about everybody pulling in the same direction and making it a fun place to work — for me, that was slipping, but that’s on me.
“I do not dislike Marcel, it’s not about that. Marcel’s got a lot of knowledge, there’s a reason why we won around here. Maybe it’s me that’s changed. If you know Marcel, he’s pretty consistent in how he acts. I would guess it’s more me changing than him. Sometimes relationships have to jive to be able to communicate. It’s nothing against Marcel; I’ll put it on me, too — I have to be a better communicator.”
In a radio interview with TSN 1200 later, Campbell talked about some things that had bothered him, including last week’s words (on TSN 1200 and in a Postmedia interview) from former Redblacks quarterback Henry Burris, who suggested players weren’t being treated right and it was hurting the team when so many of them were released or allowed to leave as free agents.
“That was just another thing,” said Campbell. “The head coach and GM, it has to be two guys that can communicate really well.
Marcel (Desjardins) and I are wired kind of differently. I’m not knocking him, that’s just kind of a fact.
And Marcel and I are wired kind of differently. I’m not knocking him, that’s just kind of a fact. If anything, Marcel is fair — I don’t have complaints on that front.”
Campbell, who turns 49 on
Dec. 20, led the Redblacks to the Grey Cup game (a loss to Edmonton) in their second season. The following year, in 2016, the Redblacks won the Grey Cup, beating the Calgary Stampeders 39-33 in overtime — the first CFL championship for an Ottawa team since 1976.
“I’ve been thinking about (leaving),” said Campbell. “It was hard to even come to the idea of thinking about it because I’m so ingrained in the community. To give all that up, there had to be some pretty solid reasons. I know I’m being a little vague, but that’s what I would say.”
The Redblacks expected Monday’s scheduled news conference to be Desjardins and Campbell reflecting on 2019 and talking about plans for 2020.
“My full expectation was both Marcel and Rick would be back next year and we’d be able to turn the page on what’s been a difficult 2019 and get back to where we should be at this time of year — preparing for a home playoff game,” said OSEG CEO/ president Mark Goudie.
“I take complete responsibility for everything, but I also know all of the success we’ve had in the past, it was a group effort,” said Desjardins. “As much as I’m the person to answer for this, there are a lot of things that happened, some of those were under my control. But there are a lot of things that didn’t work out — whether it be on the coaching side or injuries — that’s unfortunate, but at the end of the day, it’s my fault, it’s my responsibility.”
Campbell made his CFL debut in 1999 with the Edmonton Eskimos as defensive secondary and special teams co-ordinator, spending the next six seasons in that role before being promoted to defensive co-ordinator from 2005 to 2008. He moved to Winnipeg in 2009 as defensive backs and special teams co-ordinator with the Blue Bombers before returning to Alberta to coach the running backs with the Stampeders in 2010. In 2011, Campbell became assistant head coach and special teams co-ordinator with the Eskimos before taking on the defensive co-ordinator title back in Calgary in 2012, where he spent two seasons before moving to Ottawa.