Rookie coach’s wisdom revives Roughriders
The label of “rookie head coach’’ hardly seems applicable to Corey Chamblin.
Although Chamblin is the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ first-year field boss — not to mention the youngest of the CFL’s eight head coaches — he carries himself as though he was born to occupy such a position.
It matters not that he was born only 35 years ago. He is imbued with wisdom and perspective that belies his age and, to some extent, his inexperience.
Chamblin is in his sixth season as a CFL coach, having previously been employed as a defensive backs coach with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (in 2007) and Calgary Stampeders (2008 to 2010) before serving as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ defensive co-ordinator in 2011.
Although Chamblin had enjoyed success at every stop, he was not widely considered to be an automatic head-coaching candidate. When his name surfaced a year ago as a prospective Roughriders head coach, there were some reactions along the lines of “Who?’’
General manager Brendan Taman wanted the Roughriders to hire Chamblin a year ago, but Ken Miller — who was then the vice-president of football operations — had the final say. Miller opted for Greg Marshall, who was fired when Saskatchewan’s record plummeted to 1-7. The Roughriders won their first three games under Miller, who had returned to the sideline, before enduring another tailspin and finishing out of the playoffs with a league-worst 5-13 record.
Shortly after that nightmarish campaign, Taman was given the autonomy that is ordinarily accorded a GM. His first major move was to hire Chamblin.
Now it is clear why Taman had championed Chamblin’s cause. Having turned over more than half their roster from a year ago, the Roughriders boast a 2-0 record. The success, as early as it is, can be largely attributed to the tone Cham- blin has set from Day 1 of training camp.
Chamblin’s introductory message resonated with all the players, who instantly bought in. From the outset, quarterback Darian Durant has referred to the charismatic Chamblin as “Coach Chamb.’’
Although that reference underlines the amicable relations between Chamblin and the players, there is also a line that cannot be crossed. There is a time for fun and a time for business. At all times, there must be results, achieved with precision and at a brisk pace.
If Chamblin is unhappy with a practice, he does not hesitate to put a halt to the proceedings and make his sentiments abundantly clear.
If there are drills which require demonstration, he is the first to jump in.
And even if the desired result is achieved in a game, it is still incumbent upon everyone to perform.
Just ask Nick Graham, who was a starting cornerback when Saskatchewan opened the regular season with a 43-16 victory in Hamilton.
Despite the lopsided result, and a generally sound showing by the defence, Graham was bumped from the roster for Sunday’s home opener — a 17-1 victory over the Edmonton Eskimos.
Many head coaches, and especially those to whom the “rookie’’ label is affixed, would be content to stick with a lineup that pro- duced a resounding victory in Week 1.
Chamblin is of a different ilk. He is constantly pushing and prodding for more.
On Sunday, for example, the Roughriders posted their best defensive showing (at least in terms of points against) since Aug. 15, 1976, when Saskatchewan blanked the visiting Eskimos 40-0.
The latest defensive gem included six sacks — an uncommonly high total for a team that needed GPS to locate the opposing quarterback a year ago — and the restriction of Edmonton to 137 yards of net offence.
So what was first thing Chamblin said after fielding a question about the robust performance of his defensive players?
“They played a good game.’’
He did go on to refer to the defence as “outstanding’’ and note that he was “very proud of that group,’’ but the immediate response was duly noted.
Chamblin is very difficult to satisfy. He could justifiably perform cartwheels after winning his first two games as the head coach of a reconstructed team. At his age, he could likely perform the cartwheels quite well.
However, Chamblin will leave the gymnastics and heel-clicking to the fans, who finally have something to celebrate.
And, yes, that includes the presence of a “rookie head coach.’’