Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
Marc Trestman and Jim Popp, Toronto Argonauts.
It was March, the season still a good three months away from kickoff yet S.J. Green, still an Alouette, had already pictured it in his mind.
For the 10-year veteran, who played under both Popp and Trestman in Montreal, seeing those two lead a division rival would be… different.
“I had no idea [Trestman] was going to be the head coach of Toronto but I did think, you know, if they were going to hire somebody, he would be the guy to do it,” Green told CFL.ca during an interview at Mark’s CFL Week. “I just didn’t think he was ready to take on that task at the time.
“When I saw it I was a little jealous, I won’t lie.”
S.J. Green and Marc Trestman reunited last month at Argos mini-camp in Florida (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
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The Alouettes had their own new look. Kavis Reed was the new general manager while Jacques Chapdelaine had the interim tag removed as head coach. Veteran quarterback Darian Durant, meanwhile, had been acquired to lead the Alouettes’ huddle.
Green was prepared mentally to take on his former coach and GM in an East Division landscape that was heating up fast.
The all-star receiver said he credits Trestman for where he is today.
“We have a lot of history together,” he said at the time. “We won a lot of games. He taught me how to be a professional and he taught me a lot about this game. I feel like I owe him the world when it comes to that aspect of my life.
“I wish him nothing but success but ultimately we’ve got to win. That’s how I’m approaching it. I wish them nothing but success but they can’t have too much.”
Little did he know he would soon be on his way to joining Trestman and Popp in Toronto.
Perhaps some are underestimating the magnitude of changes in the CFL East Division this off-season.
It starts in Toronto where the 5-13 Argos will be led by one of the most successful coaching-GM duos in recent memory. When Popp was the GM and Trestman was the coach, the Als went 59-31 from 2008 through 2012, winning two Grey Cups and four division titles.
The Argos’ off-season started behind the eight-ball when the team took until February to find a replacement for Jim Barker and Scott Milanovich. But while February isn’t the ideal time for a new coach and general manager to take over, Popp and Trestman haven’t needed long to bring calm to the Argo organization.
Jim Popp has wasted no time putting his mark on the Argos after signing in February (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
Trestman has a winning staff on the sideline with Grey Cup-winning coach Corey Chamblin and familiar assistant Marcus Brady at his aid, while on the field the Boatmen have made substantial improvements.
The aforementioned Green, national defensive tackle Cleyon Laing, Winston Venable, J’Michael Deane and Alan-Michael Cash are among off-season additions that should benefit the product on the field.
In the end, it all comes down to Toronto’s new bench boss. He’ll bring offensive innovation to the fold, no doubt, but the biggest factor will be the way he raises the bar. Trestman expects a lot from his players and the buy-in will be immediate.
East of Hogtown the story is similar.
Jim Popp provided strong leadership in Montreal for two decades but it was time for change. Reed brings a different perspective to the front office after 16 years of coaching while Chapdelaine enjoyed immediate success after taking over mid-season last year.
But the most immediate impact will be seen in the huddle, where the Als have their first true field general at quarterback since Anthony Calvillo retired in 2013. Darian Durant was relatively healthy and productive last season for the Riders but don’t underestimate his ability to lead.
Like Trestman in Toronto, Durant lends a different voice that should, again, truly raise the bar. No. 4 has been the heart and soul of the Green and White over the years and you can expect his Alouettes teammates to respond to his presence.
At this point I must add that patience will be important in both of these instances. No one should expect miracles in Toronto and Montreal; merely that they will be better.
The addition of Darian Durant is part of the attitude change Kavis Reed has brought to the Als (MontrealAlouettes.com)
All in all, the quality of the East Division has improved substantially, centred on an impressive leadership core.
The REDBLACKS have the majority of their Grey Cup-winning staff back and while Henry Burris is absent, Rick Campbell is a proven-winning coach and Trevor Harris has shown leadership qualities as a quarterback.
Another loss in Hamilton is Orlondo Steinauer, the defensive coordinator who took a job in the college ranks at Fresno State. But Jeff Reinebold with his two and a half decades of CFL coaching experience is more than qualified to lead the Ticats’ defence.
There, in the Hammer, Kent Austin is back as the head coach while Stef Ptaszek brings some continuity going into his second season as the offensive coordinator.
There’s no reason to believe that either the REDBLACKS or Ticats will take a significant step back, while the Argos and Alouettes should be able to push the envelope.
All of that means a more balanced and competitive East Division.
The West is still as strong as ever. You could make a strong case for all five teams to win that division and make it to the Grey Cup.
We’re not there yet in the East but maybe that day isn’t so far off. What I’m sure of is that two new faces, Trestman and Durant, will make the East Division a much-improved entity.
