Plenty of possibilities for Big Blue OC position

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This article was published 17/11/2015 (3611 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WANTED: offensive co-ordinator, Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Storied Canadian Football League franchise which has fallen on hard times is seeking a play caller/offensive genius to breathe some life back into an anemic offence.

Candidate must have previous experience, be willing to work weekends and devise a scheme which does not leave thousands of armchair quarterbacks knowing what the play call will be before the ball is snapped. Communication skills are a must, although never in dealings with the media.

The hunt for a new offensive co-ordinator — atop the long list of off-season priorities for the Bombers — will come into focus with the CFL whittling down its playoff pool to two this weekend.

A number of names have been tossed around since Marcel Bellefeuille’s contract was not extended last week, and they appear to fall into two categories: those who likely won’t be available unless the club offers considerable coin and an assistant head coach title to lure them from their current job, and those ready to take the next step from their present positions.

The Bombers are said to have already spoken informally to former head coach and offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice, currently an analyst at TSN, to gauge his interest, although his name has been frequently linked to the Saskatchewan Roughriders as their next boss. And what happens in Saskatchewan could also impact the availability of their current OC, Jacques Chapdelaine, and interim head coach Bob Dyce, both of whom might be candidates with the Bombers.

As well, the Bombers have been interested in Ottawa Redblacks offensive co-ordinator Jason Maas for a couple of years — he worked with Mike O’Shea during their days with the Toronto Argonauts — but he passed on an opportunity here previously because he didn’t think he was ready to be a co-ordinator. Prying him loose from the Redblacks will be difficult, given the outstanding job he’s done helping revive the career of Henry Burris and turn the Ottawa offence into a force.

Tommy Condell, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats offensive co-ordinator whose CFL days began in Winnipeg in 1997 as a volunteer quality-control assistant, isn’t likely to leave Steeltown given his relationship with Kent Austin.

Three other possible candidates had their 2015 seasons end last weekend: Marcus Brady, the offensive co-ordinator with the Argos who has worked with O’Shea in the past and Khari Jones and George Cortez with the B.C. Lions. Jarious Jackson, the Edmonton Eskimos passing game co-ordinator, and Montreal Alouettes QB coach Ryan Dinwiddie, may also be candidates.

A spokesperson from the Lions said Monday the Bombers had yet to contact the club for permission to speak to Cortez or Jones, which is a must for any coach currently under contract.

O’Shea will be heavily involved in the interview process, expected to heat up now and through Grey Cup Week, along with GM Kyle Walters. The influence of quarterback Drew Willy shouldn’t be understated, either, as he and the rest of the pivots will be working shoulder to shoulder with the new co-ordinator to rebuild the offensive playbook. That could make Jones and Cortez, both of whom worked with Willy in Saskatchewan, possibilities.

What happens with the Bombers’ offensive-co-ordinator search could also impact their current offensive assistants: Buck Pierce (running backs), Markus Howell (receivers), Gene Dahlquist (quarterbacks), Bob Wylie and Paul Charbonneau (offensive line).

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPEdTait