Riders move on after coaching changes
REGINA — Corey Chamblin wants to take the Saskatchewan Roughriders in a different direction in his second season as head coach.
To accomplish that, Chamblin felt that some changes were needed to the coaching staff. That’s what took place when the Riders confirmed Wednesday that the contracts of offensive line coach Kris Sweet, defensive line coach Mike Walker and linebacker coach Alex Smith would not be renewed. Chamblin said he was willing to move forward with offensive co-ordinator Bob Dyce and defensive co-ordinator Richie Hall remaining in their positions.
“They made vast improvements from where this team was,’’ Chamblin said Wednesday during a media conference at Mosaic Stadium. “(There) aren’t any excuses, but there are some realities. I understand what they had to work with early in the year because we did an overhaul of the staff and we had a young (team).
“We’re looking to move into the second season with some continuity and those guys did a good enough job. They both had their ups and downs, but we have to make sure that we’re stable on both sides.’’
Chamblin felt the Riders could have been better than their 8-10 record, but feels confident that can take place in 2013 with Dyce and Hall returning.
“With the expectations that I have of the co-ordinators, they will be able to take the next step,’’ Chamblin said.
That won’t happen with Smith, Walker or Sweet. Smith was let go after 16 seasons in various roles with the Riders. Walker had completed his second season with the Riders in 2012. Sweet spent a season with the Riders as the offensive line coach and running game co-ordinator.
When asked about Smith and Walker, Chamblin said: “I think they did as much as they could last year.’’
Chamblin said that he has some candidates in mind to fill the vacancies. He added that he’s not in a rush to fill the holes, but hopes to his staff in place by late January. Chamblin expects the other members of the staff to return in 2013.
“If somebody does leave, it’s because they have a promotion after going somewhere else or they told me they didn’t want to be here,’’ Chamblin said.
“We’ve made all of the changes that we’re going to make going out. As far as coming in, we’ll still do some things.’’
Hall and Dyce both came under criticism during the 2012 season. A streaky season such as the one the Riders experienced leads to those type of discussions. Overall, Chamblin was pleased with the improve- ments shown by both units and their co-ordinators.
“I went through all of the numbers and we had the No. 2 defence in the league in a lot of areas,’’ Chamblin said, adding the Riders were second in average points allowed per game (22.7) during the regular season. “We took the next step from 2011 to 2012 and we went from being the No. 7 defence to No. 2.
“There is still enough in the tank where can go from No. 2 to No. 1.’’
Chamblin also expects improvements offensively, pointing out that 2012 was Dyce’s first year as an offensive co-ordinator.
“As first-year co-ordinator, there is room for (Dyce) to grow,’’ Chamblin said. “This whole staff that remains is doing an excellent job of getting into the work right now. They aren’t using the break as a vacation. They are still working.’’
A replacement for Walker could be Mike Sinclair, who was recently let go after five seasons as the defensive line coach with the Montreal Alouettes.
“I talk to Mike regularly during the off-season to keep on top of defensive-line play,’’ Chamblin said. “Mike is definitely a good name.’’