By Darrell Davis,
Regina Leader-Post
Tommy Condell, the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ offensive co-ordinator, has left the CFL team to assume the same job at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, La.
Contacted in Boling, Tex., on Tuesday, Condell would not discuss his status, even though Southeastern head coach Mike Lucas confirmed the hiring of the Lions’ new offensive co-ordinator in the Hammond Daily Star.
“I’m not going to make any comments,” Condell said. “Right now I’m under contract to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.”
Condell’s one-year contract as Saskatchewan’s offensive co-ordinator expires Jan. 31. After spending two seasons as an offensive assistant with the Ottawa Renegades, Condell replaced Marcel Bellefeuille, who joined the Montreal Alouettes.
Last year Saskatchewan’s offence was fourth in the CFL with 346.2 yards per game and third with 23.9 points per game, but while losing the West final 45-18 to the hometown B.C. Lions it posted only 13 first downs and was outgained by 200 yards (438-239).
Southeastern Louisiana plays NCAA Division 1 football in the Southland Conference. Condell is familiar with the school, having coached conference rivals McNeese State and Stephen F. Austin.
“When (another coach) told me that Tom Condell was interested in leaving the Canadian Football League and getting back to the United States, I was just amazed,” Lucas told the Daily Star.
“He’s run several different types of offences. He’s got an extensive knowledge of attacking defences and that’s what we want to do.”
Condell, 35, and his wife are expecting their second child.
Roughriders head coach Kent Austin, who was hired Dec. 6 to replace Danny Barrett, was interested in keeping Condell as an assistant coach. Offensive line coach George Cortez recently became the Calgary Stampeders’ offensive co-ordinator, leaving only the fate of receivers coach Tim Kearse uncertain.
Austin has rehired defensive co-ordinator Richie Hall, who signed a two-year pact with the intention of retaining linebackers coach Alex Smith and defensive line coach Ron Estay.
Although Austin was an offensive co-ordinator with the Toronto Argonauts, who fired him last season, he is seeking an offensive co-ordinator. Sources have touted former Argonauts offensive/defensive line coach Ken Miller as a candidate, but it appears Miller is more likely being considered as an offensive line coach.
“It’s always one-year deals in the CFL,” said Condell. “It’s a great honour for assistant coaches to get a two-year contract. It’s not easy to make a living up there as an assistant coach.
“There are no (pension plans or benefit packages) for assistant coaches, so it’s a tough predicament. It a tough career choice to be a CFL assistant.”
