Dyce’s class shines through after job transition
The Bob Dyce situation could have been, well, dicey.
After one season as the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ offensive co-ordinator, Dyce was abruptly bounced from that position in January when the CFL team successfully wooed George Cortez.
The hiring of Cortez, a noted offensive guru, has proven to be a coup for the Roughriders. The problem, though, was that a firstclass gentleman — and a fine coach in his own right — was displaced.
Saskatchewan head coach Corey Chamblin said from the outset that he would not have made such an impactful move unless the objective was to bring Cortez to Regina. That being done, there was the remaining issue of how to handle Dyce.
The other question at the time pertained to how Dyce would respond to the change. A more headstrong individual could have kicked up a fuss, demonstrated outrage, or sought another employer.
Dyce, by contrast, accepted an offer to become the Roughriders’ special teams co-ordinator, filling a position that was vacated when Craig Dickenson (now of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers) resigned.
And everyone in Riderville is living happily ever after.
Chamblin is the head coach of the CFL’s only undefeated team — a 3-0 unit that is preparing for Sunday’s home date with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Cortez’s offence is purring, with Darian Durant leading the league in quarterback efficiency rating at 135.1, and Kory Sheets gaining a CFL-best 442 yards along the ground.
The special teams are also an area of strength, without a discernible weakness after three games. That is a testament to the work of Dyce — “a class act,” in the assessment of Chamblin.
Dyce, in collaboration with special-teams assistant Cory McDiarmid, has helped the Roughriders excel in all kicking situations.
The kick coverage has been airtight. Jock Sanders’s returns have consistently produced excellent field position.
Saskatchewan’s kickers have also excelled. Punter Ricky Schmitt has routinely unleashed moon shots and Chris Milo has nailed all six of his field-goal attempts.
When asked about the Riders’ proficiency to date, Dyce was typically modest.
“Well, we’re three weeks in,” he said. “That’s not to downplay what the guys have done, because they’ve done an outstanding job.”
So has Dyce, from the moment that his job description changed.
“Obviously, you work hard and you get an opportunity to do the job that you were doing, and you’re hoping to continue on and go forward,” he said. “But all the time in life, a lot of things are thrown at you that you’re not expecting, and life doesn’t always go the way you have it planned. What’s important is how you adapt to that.
“You have kids, and how are you going to show them how you react to possibly an adverse situation? I still consider myself blessed to coach in this league, so I chose to find the positives in it and grow as a coach and grow as a person.
“Was it a disappointment? Without a doubt. But you’ve got two choices. You can sit down and be upset and mad and sulk, or you can look at a new opportunity and grasp it and run with it, and that’s what I chose to do.”
Dyce chose to remain with the Roughriders in the hope of winning a Grey Cup.
Speaking of the CFL’s big dance: When Dyce watches a Cortez-coached offence roll along, is it akin to watching somebody else dance with an old girlfriend?
“That’s a very neat way of putting it,” Dyce said with a laugh. “It’s funny you say that, because someone was asking me a similar type of question. It’s kind of like with your old girlfriend, you’re not calling to see what she’s doing right now. You may take a glance over and see what she’s doing, but she’s certainly not your focus.
“With the transition to special teams — because special teams is a whole lot — even if you’d like to, it’s harder to focus on what they’re doing (on offence). I’ve got so much to focus on with regards to special teams that I can’t necessarily get the ins and outs of George’s offence. I just know that I’m extremely happy that they’re successful. It’s great to see those guys have success, because we’re a team.”
And nobody embodies the team spirit better than Dyce.