Burke back in Bombers fold

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This article was published 08/01/2012 (5078 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg defensive co-ordinator Tim Burke has been turned down in his quest to become the new head coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and will return to Winnipeg for his second season as the Blue Bombers’ defensive boss.

The Ticats announced Saturday afternoon that they have hired George Cortez, an assistant coach with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, as their new field boss.

The Ticats’ decision comes as a big relief to the Bombers, who are still without an offensive co-ordinator after they fired Jamie Barresi immediately following the Grey Cup game.

Bombers media relations director Darren Cameron said Burke will speak with Winnipeg reporters on Monday.

The club did, however, tweet a statement on behalf of Burke Saturday afternoon: “It is obviously disappointing to hear I won’t be the next Head Coach of Hamilton. At the same time, I have a great situation in Winnipeg and look forward to the 2012 season with the Bombers and the best fans in the CFL.”

The club made head coach Paul LaPolice available to reporters on Saturday.

“I’d have loved to see Tim get a head coaching opportunity. And I think that will come,” LaPolice said by telephone from San Antonio, Texas, where he is attending the 2012 American Football Coaches Association conference.

“He will be a great head coach. His body of work as an assistant coach has been tremendous. I’m disappointed for him, but he will certainly help us win a Grey Cup.”

Burke campaigned hard for the Ticats job and made no secret that his first choice for 2012 would to be the head coach of Winnipeg’s East Division rival, but LaPolice said he had no doubts about Burke’s commitment to Winnipeg now that he will return to the Bombers fold.

“In no way, shape or form,” LaPolice replied. “He has an understanding that there’s only eight head coaches in the CFL and he’s talked about what a great year he had this past year. And I’m sure he will want to build on that. He’s a high character guy and I’m sure he will do a good job for us.”

The Ticats made what was perhaps a bit of CFL history in the manner in which Cortez was announced as their new boss. Ticats owner Bob Young made the announcement Saturday afternoon via his Twitter account #CaretakerBob: “So excited had to tell someone…” Young wrote in part.

Cortez, who reportedly received a four-year deal that also makes him director of football operations in Hamilton, was the quarterbacks coach for the Buffalo Bills the past two seasons.

But he’s best known in these parts for his years in the CFL. Cortez has won four Grey Cups, most recently in 2008 when he was offensive co-ordinator and assistant head coach of the Calgary Stampeders.

Henry Burris was the starting quarterback on that Calgary team and Saturday’s hiring will reunite Cortez with Burris, who the Ticats acquired last week in a trade with the Stamps.

Meanwhile, LaPolice provided a brief update on Saturday on his search for an offensive co-ordinator, saying he’s interviewed “at least three” candidates so far.

“We’ve done some interviews and had talks with a bunch of guys and we’ll have some more talks with some guys down here,” LaPolice said, referencing the AFCA convention.

“There will be about 6,000 coaches down here. I’ve already talked to a couple guys and will sit down with them here. We’ve got a good list and seen some good guys already.”

LaPolice said he anticipates announcing a hiring in “the next couple weeks.”

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca