Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca
HAMILTON — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats confirmed on Tuesday that Jeff Reinebold has been replaced as the team’s defensive coordinator by Phillip Lolley.
The news first came to light Monday in a report by Drew Edwards of 3 Down Nation, three days after the Ticats’ 33-28 loss to the Edmonton Eskimos. Reinebold later confirmed the news via his Twitter account.
The Ticats say Reinebold has been offered an alternate position to stay with the organization.
“Phillip is a great football mind that has been around the game at all levels for a very long time,” said Austin. “He has been an excellent addition to our coaching staff this season and we fully expect him to flourish in his expanded role with our team moving forward.”
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Lolley, 63, joined the Tiger-Cats as defensive run game coordinator and linebackers coach on Feb. 9, 2017. The Butler, Ala. native has more than three decades of coaching experience, most recently serving three seasons under Chris Jones as linebackers coach for the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2016) and Edmonton Eskimos (2014-15).
Reinebold, who first entered the CFL as a receivers and special teams coach in 1991 with the BC Lions, was in his first season as the Ticats’ defensive coordinator after four seasons as special teams coordinator.
“We want to thank Jeff for his significant and positive contributions to our organization and hope that he will continue to call Hamilton home in the near future,” added Ticats vice president of football operations and head coach Kent Austin.
Prior to joining the CFL coaching ranks, Lolley spent 15 years at Auburn University (1999-2013) in various roles. A 22-year veteran high school coach in the state of Alabama, Lolley served as a head coach at three schools including North Jackson (winning the 1993 4A state championship) from 1988 to 1998, South Choctaw Academy in 1977, and Warrior Academy in Eutaw from 1978 to 1982.
He also served as Defensive Coordinator at Demopolis High School from 1982 to 1984 and as Head Coach at Stevenson High School from 1984 to 1987.
The coaching shakeup comes amidst an 0-6 start for the Ticats, including a defence that ranks last in the CFL in virtually every major category including points, passing yards and rushing yards.
After back to back games in Alberta — losses to the Stampeders and Eskimos — the Ticats are back at Tim Hortons Field on Saturday to take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Despite their winless start, the Ticats remain only three games back of first place in the East and four points back of a playoff spot with two thirds of the season remaining.
