Tamper? Nope, Bauer says

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This article was published 15/11/2008 (6493 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

2The Edmonton Eskimos are apparently steaming since assistant coach Mike Kelly’s name has been linked to the vacancy here while their club is in Montreal for today’s East Final.

But if you ask Winnipeg Blue Bombers president and CEO Lyle Bauer about allegations of such, he throws up a big STOP sign.

“There was certainly no intention to cause any disruption with any other team in the league with us announcing that we were relieving our head coach of his duties,” Bauer said Friday. “I’ve spoken to (Eskimo president and CEO) Rick LeLacheur. There’s no question that people know of past relationships, and so it led to speculation.”

Kelly and Bauer were both with the Bombers from 1992-95 before the current Bomber boss left football to work in the grain business. Kelly remained in Winnipeg for one more year but, when he did not get the head coaching job following the 1996 season — that gig went to Jeff Reinebold — he left to become the head coach at Valdosta State (18-19 over three years).

Although Kelly remains the front-runner for Doug Berry’s job, Bauer is interviewing other candidates and speaking to his football connections outside the Bomber organization.

“Everybody has their outside confidants that can give you a little different perspective because they’re not so close to things,” Bauer said.

“Sometimes they can give you clarity or a clearer view. There’s people that I respect… and that respect doesn’t mean that I necessarily agree with them, but I value their opinions or commentary. And depending on what kind of input you’re looking for, it can affect who you talk to.”

Bauer will be in Montreal next week for the Grey Cup, but a league moratorium on personnel/coaching announcements during the championship festivities means an announcement on Berry’s replacement likely won’t come until later this month or into December.

“When the time is right, we will speak with potential candidates and, where required, request permission,” Bauer said. “Teams have earned the right to play this weekend and it is our intention to honour their success without distraction.

“But this is the item that is on the front burner. I’m not going to say when the announcement will come, I’m just going to say it’s sooner rather than later — if the right circumstances come to be and we find the right characteristics of the person we’re looking for. I know that’s vague, but when we announce it is not the important part of it.

“Having said that, there’s no question we’re in the launch for 2009 with season-ticket renewals, our corporate campaign, and (who is hired) is all part of the package.”

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca