Mack must strip LaPo of duties on offence

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This article was published 16/09/2011 (5314 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Paul LAPOLICE needs to decide what he wants to be. Right now he’s a so-so head coach and a so-so offensive co-ordinator. It’s become apparent doing both jobs is too much. He needs to strive to excel at one, rather than be middling at both.

LaPolice is inexperienced in terms of game management and his attention to the offence fragments his focus.

There have been too many mistakes this season that can be attributed to a lack of attention to the big picture. Running an offence requires tunnel vision. Overseeing an entire team and game plan takes a different mindset. Few can do both well and few even try in today’s game.

Montreal Alouettes head coach Marc Trestman calls the plays for his team but he’s got Anthony Calvillo at quarterback and a reliable assistant in Scott Milanovich. It’s a three-headed monster with experience and confidence.

Winnipeg just doesn’t have that situation with its personnel. LaPolice has taken too much on — for all the right reasons — as he attempts to do his part in rebuilding this franchise, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s not working.

Yes, the Bombers are 7-3 but anyone with an objective eye on the package can see there are flaws, and game management is near the top of the list. LaPolice is a young coach and needs help.

GM Joe Mack must exert his power. The Bombers have a capable offensive mind in Jamie Barresi and Mack needs to tell LaPolice to turn over some of the offensive duties, including play calling.

That’s not to say LaPolice should take off his headset and keep out of the conversation. But let him oversee rather than execute.

Free LaPolice up to watch the game from a head coach’s perspective and participate in all aspects including the defence and special teams. The head coach is the CEO and not a department manager.

LaPolice is proud and perhaps even a little insecure at this stage in his head coaching career during which he has compiled an 11-17 record. He’s not going to want to cede any of his power, particularly play calling. It’s his rock and the foundation he has built his career on.

But change promotes growth and if LaPolice is forced to participate on different levels he will find other ways to impact his team.

The status quo won’t do. Too often the Bombers get outmanoeuvred in the chess game and much of that has to be connected to LaPolice being over-involved in the offence.

It’s time to cut the ties and move from co-ordinator status to head coach.

Or move back upstairs and let someone else run the big show.

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca

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