Walters, O’Shea agree to extensions with the Blue Bombers
WINNIPEG — Any questions about the long term leadership of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have been put to rest.
The club announced Friday that it has agreed to three-year contract extensions with both General Manager Kyle Walters and Head Coach Mike O’Shea.
Walters, entering his fourth season overseeing the club’s football operations, is with the club through 2020, while O’Shea’s agreement keeps him on the sidelines through 2019.
“Since we began this journey together three seasons ago, we have maintained that stability and continuity in the organization are paramount,” said Blue Bombers President & CEO Wade Miller. “Although we have yet to reach our ultimate goal, both of these men are extremely critical in the foundation of Blue Bombers football, and we are thrilled to have them continuing to build a winning football operations department for years to come.”
Since taking over in 2013, Walters has been one of the most active General Managers in the CFL, using free agency and a number of significant trades to get the Blue Bombers back into the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
The 2016 Bombers finished the season with 26 players who were either in their first or second CFL season. Along with building a strong core of Canadian talent — featuring the like of Matthias Goossen, Sukh Chungh and Taylor Loffler — Walters solidified the Blue Bombers’ position in the 2017 Draft by trading QB Drew Willy to the Argos and by virtue, earning the first overall selection.
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O’Shea joined the Bombers as the club’s 30th Head Coach in December of 2013, and in 2016 he led the club to its best record since 2003, including a seven-game win streak which spanned two months of the season. A coach who believes strongly in solid special teams play and core values, O’Shea saw the team boast the league’s top special teams player in kicker Justin Medlock, and match the club’s record for most road wins in a season at seven.
The four-time Grey Cup champion is entering his fourth season as the club’s Head Coach and his eighth season coaching in the league, following a stellar 16-year playing career. Prior to joining the Bombers, O’Shea was an assistant coach with the Toronto Argonauts from 2010 – 2013.
