Trestman, Dickenson keep calm and coach on
OTTAWA— Marc Trestman and Dave Dickenson sat on the podium at the annual Grey Cup coaches’ press conference sporting contrasting shirts and matching philosophies — one that has been remarkably successful in recent CFL history.
Trestman is in his first season with the Toronto Argonauts but in his 35th year of professional coaching. Dickenson is in just his second season as head coach of the Calgary Stampeders after a seven-season apprenticeship under John Hufnagel.
There is a decade-and-a-half age difference between them, but both espouse an approach marked by a relentless consistency and a taciturn demeanour, an extreme calm in the midst of what is an unquestionable emotional and violent game. They are, for lack of a better word, boring.
That is not to say they aren’t interesting or thoughtful or are lacking in self-awareness. The decision to emphasize the more disciplined elements, particularly in situations of public consumption, seems deliberate. Both men don’t give away much and intentionally so.
There also seems to be a wariness of the look-at-me nature so prevalent in a society consumed by social media and selfies. Trestman mentioned “millennials” twice on Wednesday and both were couched in the context of the challenges surrounding their approach and worldview.
Dickenson, meanwhile, was asked about the seemingly inevitable backand-forth between players on Twitter in the run-up to a big game.
“I don’t know why as media you guys like to give so much attention to people that talk a lot. Let’s focus on the game,” Dickenson said. “Those aren’t players I think Marc and I want on our team that are selfish guys. Both teams are playing good football right now.”
Trestman, Dickenson and Ottawa head coach Rick Campbell are the principal practitioners of the steadfast approach that also extends to their sideline demeanour. The occasional fist-pump is about as emotional as they can be expected to be in all but the most exceptional of circumstances: Campbell was intentionally knocked to the ground by then-Montreal receiver Duron Carter last season and didn’t get up swinging.
Dickenson, Trestman and Campbell have filled five of the six head coaching slots at the Grey Cup over the past three seasons.
There is, of course, another way of doing things. Saskatchewan’s Chris Jones, former Hamilton head coach Kent Austin and Edmonton’s Jason Maas have all developed reputations for being more demonstrative on the sidelines and coach with a certain palpable emotional energy.
Austin was fined for making contact with both an official and an opposing player during his time on the Ticat sidelines and cameras regularly chronicled his emotional interactions with officials. Maas smashed his headset to smithereens after a replay call didn’t go his way earlier this season and Jones had some choice expletives for a camera operator who came too close during the East semifinal against Ottawa.
How the coach’s disposition translates to performance is tough to quantify, but the Eskimos, Ticats and Riders were second, third and fifth in penalties this season while Calgary and Ottawa were seventh and eighth. Toronto was fourth.
Of course, Jones also won a Grey Cup with Edmonton in 2015 and Austin made appearances with Hamilton in 2013 and 2014.
Given the similarities in their approach and demeanour, it’s hardly surprising that Wednesday’s press conference was a mutual admiration society: it emerged Trestman had inquired about hiring Dickenson as his playing career wound down.
After it was over, the two men spent several minutes chatting amiably, despite the fact that both had practices to prepare for. They even shared a smile at one point, a genuine display of emotion.
It was exceedingly brief and, most importantly, just for each other.