December 10, 2012

Eskimos introduce Ed Hervey as new General Manager

CFL.ca Staff

EDMONTON — The Edmonton Eskimos have found their man.

Monday, the Esks announced Ed Hervey as their new General Manager.

The move comes just over a month after the team parted ways with its previous General Manager Eric Tillman.

“Ed is the right man to build us a world-class team – on the field and in the community,” said Eskimos President and CEO Len Rhodes. “He embodies the Eskimo Way and will give our community a consistently-competitive team for years to come.”

Campbell: Hervey ready
for challenge

As CFL.ca’s Dave Campbell explains, new Eskimos GM Ed Hervey faces the tall task of restoring the pride back into the once dominant franchise. Read More.

A two-time Grey Cup champion and former CFL All-Star, Hervey has spend the past four seasons as the Esks’ Head Scout. He is also a key part in Edmonton’s preparation and research for the CFL Canadian Draft held each spring.

“My plan is simple and effective; do not reinvent the wheel but reinforce the fact that teamwork on and off the field wins championships,” said Hervey in a statement.

“I’m excited for the challenge, but I’m humbled by the opportunity,” Hervey said. “I want to make it very clear that this is not about me, this is about the Edmonton Eskimos, this is about our team, our organization, our direction.

“Our direction is simple: we want to win.”

One of Hervey’s first actions as GM was to endorse current Eskimos coach Kavis Reed.

“He is the guy. I believe in him,” he said. “I want to give him the opportunity to coach this football team without any side distractions. Just give him a department that can work well with him that’s efficient. I’ve had a chance to work with Kavis and he’s very good.”

The former USC football and track star has also staged successful open tryout camps for the Eskimos in Northern and Southern California.

In eight seasons with the Esks as a player, Hervey stood out with his world class speed, toughness and leadership on and off the field.

In 118 career games, Hervey caught 476 passes for 6,715 yards and 43 touchdowns. He played in eight post-season games and three Grey Cups, winning in 2003 and 2005.  

In 2006, Hervey received the David Boone Memorial Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the community.  Hervey retired as a player in March 2007.

He hopes some stability will bring a winning attitude back to a club that has won 13 Grey Cups.

“Winning is what I want to do, and I won’t stop until I do,” he said. “That’s just how I’m wired. But I also believe in structure. I believe in the best players, I believe in the best staff, but I’m not mistaken to believe that it’s not about the football team. We are a football club, and football is what we do.”