January 29, 2013

Als GM Popp continues search for new head coach

MontrealAlouettes.com

CFL.ca Staff

MONTREAL – Montreal Alouettes general manager Jim Popp is keeping no secrets about who are some of the leading candidates for his vacant head coaching position.  Tuesday, Popp tweeted that Danny Maciocia, Dan Hawkins, Jim Zorn, Turk Schonert, Steve Fairchild and Mike Miller had all been interviewed for the position.
 

Maciocia is likely most well-known in CFL circles, serving as an Als assistant coach from 1996-2001 before being hired by the Edmonton Eskimos as a coordinator in 2002 before taking over as Edmonton’s head coach from 2005-2008. In 2011 he joined the staff of the University of Montreal.

A veteran coordinator at both the college and NFL level, Steve Fairchild has over 30 years of experience, working primarily with Running Backs and Quarterbacks and has a similar pedigree to his potential predecessor Marc Trestman. He most recently coached with the San Diego Chargers.

Another name that many may recognize from south of the border is former Washington Redskins head coach Jim Zorn. After a successful playing career which lasted until 1987, Zorn coached at Boise State, Utah State and the University of Minnesota before holding coordinator positions with Seattle, Detroit, Baltimore and Kansas City.

Zorn’s name is also interesting because of his relationship with Als QB Anthony Calvillo. Zorn coached Calvillo at Utah State and has been a mentor of his ever since.

Schonert is another offensive-minded coach with extensive experience as a quarterbacks coach with six NFL clubs from 1992-2008. He has spent the last three seasons as an offensive assistant and head coach in the United Football League.

Hawkins is a former fullback that has been a head coach in the NCAA for over 20 years, boasting a career college coaching record of 112-61-1. He was most recently the head coach at Boise State from 2001-2005 before taking of Colorodo’s sidelines from 2006-2010.

Miller is a bit of a younger coach, aged 42, who recently served as the offensive coordinator with the Arizona Cardinals (2011-2012). Prior to that, he spent time with the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers.