12°c Partly cloudy
6°c Clear
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
CFL coaching carousel keeps spinning
Hard not to notice that there seems to be a great deal of hand-wringing – much of it justified – about the Bombers’ still vacant defensive co-ordinator position and the possible loss of D-line coach Richard Harris to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Look, it’s not good optics when the club’s first two choices for DC -- Richie Hall and Corey Chamblin – opt to go elsewhere and when the franchise’s current longest-serving assistant, Harris, may be exiting to an arch-rival.
(As an aside, we asked to speak to Harris today but was told he was not doing media interviews. Word has it the Bombers are steamed at the Riders for asking for permission to speak to Harris, who has another year left on his contract. If that’s the case, then why give the Riders permission to speak to him? Anyway...)
The point here is this stuff happens every year in the CFL.
Today the Riders announced that assistant coaches Jim Daley and Nelson Martin won’t be back – Martin could end up here in Winnipeg – and likely more changes are coming in Regina with defensive coordinator Gary Etcheverry likely out with Hall coming aboard.
Consider that the Eskimos are starting over with former Bomber DC Kavis Reed at the controls. He grabbed Rick Campbell from Calgary, Rich Stubler from B.C. and Marcus Crandell from the Riders to join his staff.
Mike Gibson left Hamilton for Calgary to replace Campbell; Khari Jones replaced him as the O coordinator in Hamilton. Chamblin takes over for Greg Marshall, now the head coach in Regina, as Hamilton’s defensive boss. Brad Miller was promoted to special teams coordinator in Hamilton, forcing Dave Easley out.
I could go on and on here, but I think I’m developing a headache trying to jot all this down.
Now we’ve had it whispered to us on many occasions that D-Line coach Harris wasn’t interested in having his title change to Defensive Coordinator Harris. He’s an outstanding position coach, not an Xs and Os guy. But if the team wants to keep him this badly, a possible solution: make him the DC and hire a DL coach whose strength IS the Xs and Os and breaking down film. Harris has a great deal of respect in the Bomber locker room and lives here in Winnipeg year round. Losing his kind stings an organization big on establishing continuity.
- Back to Top
- Return to Blogs
Poll
Most Popular Blogs
- MTS horrifies Montana educator
- It pays to be nice
- Harper sends wrong message with tweet about missing person tragedy
- The missing daughter he's never met
- Angels saved the day
- Best of what's left from the fest
- Cops solve the case
- Silent, smiling snowplow driver saves the day
- It shouldn't be this hard
- Grateful for compassionate wife
- Harper sends wrong message with tweet about missing person tragedy
- MTS horrifies Montana educator
- Rare win for voter turnout, big fail for political spin
- It shouldn't be this hard
- Silent, smiling snowplow driver saves the day
- Grateful for compassionate wife
- Cops solve the case
- Winnipeg, warm hearts
- The missing daughter he's never met
- Kind knights to the rescue
- Harper sends wrong message with tweet about missing person tragedy
- MTS horrifies Montana educator
- Our very own national scandal
- Bus went the wrong way, I chose the right path
- Rare win for voter turnout, big fail for political spin
- Handcuffs and tax hikes
- Activist leaves spotlight, and other stuff
- Two fives will get you 10, but do they melt?
- Activist works exclusively with one medium
- Ontario's 'Big Move:' pay more to get more
- Harper sends wrong message with tweet about missing person tragedy
- Best of the fest, part 1
- Silent, smiling snowplow driver saves the day
- Best of what's left from the fest
- MTS horrifies Montana educator
- Harper sends wrong message with tweet about missing person tragedy
- Activist works exclusively with one medium
- Best of the fest, part 1
- Selling government, like Coke or Nike
- Geriatric Culling
- Thankful for helpful neighbours
- Activist leaves spotlight, and other stuff
- Our very own national scandal
- Mouthy and not-so-mouthy: how Manitoba MPs stack up
- Silent, smiling snowplow driver saves the day
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.