Former Riders welcome Austin’s return
Kent Austin’s return to the CFL is welcomed by some former members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Austin, who was the Riders’ head coach in 2007 and guided them to a 23-19 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Grey Cup game, was introduced Monday as the vice-president of football operations, general manager and head coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Austin takes over as head coach from George Cortez, who was fired on Dec. 11 after a 6-12 season in his first year as head coach with the Tiger-Cats.
Austin resigned from the Roughriders after the 2007 CFL season to become the offensive co-ordinator with the University of Mississippi. Austin spent two seasons at his alma mater before joining Cornell University as the head coach in 2010.
“(Austin) is a great head coach and he’s a true leader,’’ said defensive tackle Marcus (Chunky) Adams, who was a member of the Riders from 2003 to 2010.
“He knows what the players are thinking before we even say it. He came into the locker room a couple of times in 2007 when our bodies were beat up and he knew that. He would say, ‘No pads for two or three days,’ and give our bodies a rest. He was a great players’ coach and he knows how the players are doing. Hamilton is very lucky to have him as a head coach.’’
Scott Schultz, who spent 2001 through 2009 with the Roughriders and shared in the 2007 Grey Cup victory, was pleased Austin had decided to return to the CFL.
“It’s good for the CFL and it’s good for that franchise,’’ Schultz said.
“He’s certainly an alpha personality with his confidence, professionalism and how he goes about his business. His expectations will be set and clear and he won’t put up with any nonsense. He’ll have that team humming.’’
Austin accomplished that in two different roles with the Riders. He was the starting quarterback in 1989 when the Riders defeated the Tiger-Cats 43-40 in what is often referred to as the greatest Grey Cup game ever played.
“IT WILL BE TOUGH, BUT KENT HAS THE ABILITY AND THE SMARTS IN THE CFL TO MAKE THEM A CONTENDER.” GENE MAKOWSKY
Austin returned in 2007 when he led the Riders to a 12-6 regular-season record, and after winning the franchise’s third Grey Cup, he was named the CFL’s coach of the year.
Austin will always have a special place in the hearts of some Roughriders after what took place in the 2007 Grey Cup game.
“He certainly will in my family,’’ said former offensive lineman Gene Makowsky, who played 17 seasons for the Riders before retiring after the 2011 season.
“He and (former general manager) Eric Tillman did a great job with the team that year and I would think most fans would look at Kent Austin as one of the key people in franchise history. I don’t know if they will be taking down that banner at Mosaic Stadium anytime soon.’’
Austin is moving into a different situation with the Tiger-Cats compared to the one he entered with the Riders in 2007.
Back then, Austin took over a Riders team which had posted three consecutive 9-9 seasons. Schultz felt Austin and Tillman were the final pieces that were needed to lift the Riders to the next level.
In 2012, the Tiger-Cats missed the playoffs despite boasting the league’s top offence. The 2013 Tiger-Cats are without a true home stadium due to the rebuild of Ivor Wynne Stadium and are to play the majority of their home games in Guelph, Ont., 50 kilometres north of Hamilton. Add in the fact the Tiger-Cats had the league’s worst defence and the challenge of turning around the franchise is daunting.
“I’m not putting down Kent Austin because I love the man and he gave me the most coveted accomplishment in my career,’’ Schultz said.
“If they do wind up in the Grey Cup, it would have to go down as one of the greatest stories in CFL history from dealing with all of the conditions and ups and downs to get there.’’
Makowsky feels that Austin will be up for all of the challenges the Tiger-Cats face.
“It will be tough, but Kent has the ability and the smarts in the CFL to make them a contender,’’ Makowsky said.