December 4, 2019

Checking Down: All eyes on the coaches

Johany Jutras/CFL.ca

TORONTO — As the off-season gets under way, coaches are the topic of discussions the league.

There’s a new bench boss in BC as the Lions announced Rick Campbell as the team’s 27th head coach in franchise history.

The Ottawa REDBLACKS and Edmonton Eskimos are still on the hunt for a new head coach.

Plus, special teams coordinator Jeff Reinebold is staying in the Hammer and Khari Jones inked a three-year extension in Montreal.

The latest news and notes from the off-season in this week’s Checking Down:

Jump to team:

BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal

BC LIONS

 

– The BC Lions announced on Monday that the team has hired Rick Campbell as head coach (CFL.ca).

– After being hired as the 27th head coach in BC Lions franchise history, Campbell believes that the sky is the limit for the team (CFL.ca).

– Campbell addressed the media after being named head coach and is ready to get going as the team’s new bench boss (CFL.ca).

– In roster news, the Lions are keeping running back John White around, inking him to a one-year extension last week (CFL.ca).

– Armed with a new deal and a 1,000-yard rushing season under his belt, John White has his sights set on turning the BC Lions into contenders in 2020 (Matt Baker, BCLions.com).

– With Campbell locked in as head coach, the search is now on for the rest of his staff. As TSN’s Farhan Lalji says, bringing Jason Maas on as offensive coordinator is far from a done deal (TSN.ca).

EDMONTON ESKIMOS

 

– The Edmonton Eskimos relieved Jason Maas of his duties a head coach last week (CFL.ca).

– General manager Brock Sunderland says it’s very important for him to find the best possible candidate to lead the team moving forward (CFL.ca).

In roster news, the Esks signed American wide receiver Bryce Bobo, National fullback Peter Cender, American defensive lineman Jake Ceresna and Global wide receiver Diego Viamontes last week (Esks.com).

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

Derek Wiggan has signed a two-year extension to stay with the Stampeders (Larry MacDougal/CFL.ca)

– The Stampeders have signed national defensive lineman Derek Wiggan to a two-year contract extension that will keep him with Calgary through the 2021 season (CFL.ca).

– After 10 seasons in the CFL, punter Rob Maver announced his retirement from football last week (CFL.ca).

– Calgary and fullback William Langlais agreed to a contract extension last week (CFL.ca).

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

Makana Henry signed a new two-year deal with the Riders (Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca)

– The Riders signed Canadian defensive lineman Makana Henry to a two-year contract extension last week, keeping him with the club through the 2021 season (CFL.ca).

– In other roster news, Saskatchewan signed American defensive back Loucheiz Purifoy through 2021 (CFL.ca).

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

Will Zach Collaros be under centre for the Bombers next season? (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

– Mike O’Shea and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers off-season started right away last week after their 107th Grey Cup victory and the to-do list started right away (Ed Tait, BlueBombers.com)

– Fresh off becoming the first Canadian to be named a Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian and Most Valuable Player, Andrew Harris is hitting the off-season with resiliency on full display (Ed Tait, BlueBombers.com). 

Matt Nichols? Chris Streveler? Zach Collaros? Who should be under centre for the Blue Bombers in 2020? (CFL.ca).

– There were plenty of factors in the Bombers’ magical run to a Grey Cup, but the list starts with head coach Mike O’Shea (Matthew Cauz, CFL.ca).

– Just a week after capturing the Grey Cup, the Bombers took part in the ceremonial puck drop at a Winnipeg Jets game on Tuesday (CFL.ca).

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

Jeff Reinebold will be back with the Tabbies as special teams coordinator next season (Ticats.ca)

– Special teams coordinator Jeff Reinebold signed a contract extension with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Monday to continue in the same role moving forward (CFL.ca).

– Ticats offensive coordinator Tommy Condell had reportedly informed the REDBLACKS, Eskimos and Lions that he is not interested in interviewing for their head coaching positions and wants to stay in Hamilton (Farhan Lalji, TSN).

TORONTO ARGONAUTS

Chandler Worthy signed a three-year deal with the Argonauts (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

– In roster news, the Argos signed receiver Chandler Worthy to a three-year deal on Monday (CFL.ca). 

– The team also inked veteran American linebacker Bear Woods to a two-year extension (CFL.ca).

OTTAWA REDBLACKS

According to Henry Burris, Ryan Dinwiddie makes sense to take over the REBLACKS vacant bench boss role (Larry MacDougal/CFL.ca)

– The REDBLACKS signed 13 players on Tuesday including National defensive lineman Thomas Grant and National defensive back Nate Hamlin (OttawaREDBLACKS.com).

– As the search continues for a new head coach, TSN’s Henry Burris says Ryan Dinwiddie makes perfect sense to take over the role (TSN.ca).

MONTREAL ALOUETTES

Head coach Khari Jones inked a three-year deal with the Alouettes (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

– With Khari Jones signed for three more seasons, the future is bright for the Montreal Alouettes (Pat Steinberg, CFL.ca).

– According to a report from TSN’s Farhan Lalji, the Alouettes have asked permission of the Blue Bombers to interview Danny McManus for their vacant general manager post (CFL.ca).

– In roster news, the Alouettes signed National defensive tackle Michael Sanelli and two other players to two-year deals (CFL.ca).