Paul LaPolice back with Blue and Gold, hired as Bombers new OC

Posted: 6:39 PM CST Monday, Dec. 7, 2015 Last Modified: 10:41 AM CST Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015 | Updates

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are dipping into the past in hopes of a brighter future - at least on the offensive side of the ball.

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The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are dipping into the past in hopes of a brighter future - at least on the offensive side of the ball.

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The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are dipping into the past in hopes of a brighter future – at least on the offensive side of the ball.

Paul LaPolice was named the offensive co-ordinator for the Blue Bombers, the team posted on its Twitter account Monday evening.

The post included a video of LaPolice and Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea signing what appeared to be LaPolice’s new contract, followed with a firm handshake to seal the deal.

JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES
Paul LaPolice is the new offensive coordinator for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. — JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Paul LaPolice is the new offensive coordinator for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

"Bombers fans, welcome your new offensive coordinator, Paul LaPolice," said O’Shea, to which LaPolice replied, "Fire it up."

BREAKING: Head Coach Mike O’Shea has found his new Offensive Coordinator. Welcome @PaulLaPolice! pic.twitter.com/bmc2fQ8L1I

— Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) December 7, 2015

LaPolice, 45, returns to an organization where he held the dual role of head coach and offensive co-ordinator, leading the Bombers for parts of three seasons (2010-12) before being fired midway through the 2012 campaign after posting a 2-6 record.

Despite a record of 16-28 as head coach, the move came as somewhat of a surprise because LaPolice had led Winnipeg to the Grey Cup – a 34-23 loss to the B.C. Lions – the previous season and was a finalist for CFL coach of the year.

The 2016 season will mark his third stint as the Bombers’ OC, LaPolice worked as the the offensive co-ordinator under former head coach Dave Ritchie during the 2002 and 2003 seasons.

In 2002, LaPolice, who was also the quarterbacks, receivers, and running backs coach, engineered an offence that set 14 offensive team records. That season, quarterback Khari Jones threw for 46 touchdowns, 23 of which fell into the hands of Hall of Fame receiver Milt Stegall – a CFL record that stands today. He was fired at the end of the 2003 season, acting as the scapegoat for an offensive system that struggled to find the endzone.

LaPolice replaces Marcel Bellefeuille, who shouldered much of the blame for an inept Bombers offence in 2015; a year the team went 5-13 and ranked near the bottom of almost every offensive category.

LaPolice leaves his spot as a CFL analyst on TSN, a position he’s held since guest appearing on the sports television network for the 2012 CFL playoffs.

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca
Twitter: @jeffkhamilton