CFL coaching carousel

[B.C.FAN]

Might Ottawa be Chappy's next stop ?

It would be a natural fit, and a great opportunity for both sides. Chapdelaine had the league's third best offence on a team with no QB and substandard receivers. He would go to a team with an MOP QB at the end of his career and four 1,000-yard receivers. He has worked with some of Ottawa's offensive players, including Ernest Jackson and backup QB Thomas DeMarco.

I'm not sure that Rick Campbell is interested in him, though. Campbell was defensive coordinator in Edmonton in 2007 when Chapdelaine was offensive coordinator. That year didn't end well.

[The_Pauser]

No surprise whatsoever. Another Buono loyalist.

Everyone this team hires is a Buono loyalist according to you. Hell we could go out and hire Marc Trestman and you'd call him a Buono loyalist.

Khari Jones didn't play for, or work for the BC Lions during Buono's tenure here until he was hired by Benevides as OC in 2014. He was then demoted last year, possibly because they didn't want to pay the buyout for firing him. In the absence of a qualified candidate they simply promoted him back to his old job. Odd scenario for sure, and I think it would be valid to question the extent of the recruiting process for the job this year. But to say it's no surprise because he's a Buono loyalist is just wrong and only serves as proof of your agenda against Buono.

Marc Trestman is no Buono loyalist. He is his own man and makes his own decisions.

And I"m sure Khari Jones is no Buono loyalist either.

[Blitz]

And I"m sure Khari Jones is no Buono loyalist either.

Khari Jones certainly does not fit into the same type of box as a Chuck McMann or a Mark Washington.

Khari Jones began his pro playing career right here in B.C in 1997 but saw little playing time in his three seasons as a B.C. Lion, relegated to the backup spot behind incumbent quarterback Damon Allen.

But Jones had success in Winnipeg, where he would go on to beat Buono's heavily favored Calgary Stampeders in the 2001 Grey Cup.

After Jones playing days were behind him, his first stint was working as a sideline reporter for CBC's CFL broadcasts.

Jones began his coaching career as the quarterbacks coach for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats under head coach Marcel Bellefeuille in 2009 and served as offensive coordinator in Hamilton in 2011.

Jones was let go in Hamilton after his one season as OC there and then went on to Saskatchewan and served as quarterbacks coach there for two seasons.

Our Leos were not successful in their efforts to sign their first two choices as an OC in 2014 and Jones was hired as our OC in 2014. Jones served for one season as our OC and was demoted to receivers coach, with the hiring of Jeff Tedford, who hired George Cortez as our OC. Tedford worked with our quarterbacks during the 2014 season. Jones was under contract for two seasons and was paid the salary of an OC, while serving as our receivers coach, rather than being released from his contract an paid out.

Jones has only served as an OC for one single season with Hamilton and one single season in B.C. He is not likely viewed as a rising star in the coaching ranks. His best and likely only chance to become an OC for next year is here in B.C.

[Hambone]

Khari is probably glad to see Cortez depart. George has followed him around like a bad smell recently. In both of his OC tenures he's seen himself being punted aside to make room for Cortez. He was let go by Hamilton when the hired Cortez as their new HC. GC quickly inserted himself as Ticats OC. Then Jones gets the BC gig and along comes Tedford who wants his own man and demotes Khari in favour of Cortez.

[Blitz]

I'm sure Khari Jones will not be sad to see Cortez retire.

However, Khari didn't exactly blow the doors off in his two previous stints as an offensive coordinator. He's been basically a vanilla spread offence devotee without demonstrating much in the way of innovation or forward thinking.

But with a quick release quarterback like Jennings, who can go through all his reads and make all the throws from the pocket, KhariJones could definitely be the guy Wally wants to run the offence. Khari will run the offence Wally want to run. In 2014, Jones ran the old Calgary playbook more than any OC here has, using a lot of empty backfield, six receiver sets. I was anticipating Allan Pitts coming out of retirement and putting on a Leos uniform.

Not much out there. Gotta give Khari at least a 50/50 shot of being our next OC,

[David]

Some great tidbits from NEWS1130 via Twitter this morning.

Hearing the #BCLions are talking with Marcel Bellefeuille about becoming the receivers coach.

Hearing the #BCLions are thinking about moving Ryan Phillips from halfback to safety.

Despite just 7 wins this season, the #BCLions are ahead in season tickets sales from this time a year ago.

DH

[The_Pauser]

Some great tidbits from NEWS1130 via Twitter this morning.

Hearing the #BCLions are talking with Marcel Bellefeuille about becoming the receivers coach.

Hearing the #BCLions are thinking about moving Ryan Phillips from halfback to safety.

Despite just 7 wins this season, the #BCLions are ahead in season tickets sales from this time a year ago.

DH

Doesn't make sense that Bellefeuille would work under Jones, but it's never a bad thing to bring quality coaches into the system. How long before people start calling him a Wally loyalist though?

Interesting news about RP. Strange that they would re-sign Fraser just to relegate him to being a backup. I do think Phillips would excel at the safety position given his smarts. It can potentially extend his career as well.

Great news re: season ticket sales. Hopefully we can get back to averaging 30k+ every game and create a better atmosphere.

[Hambone]

Doesn't make sense that Bellefeuille would work under Jones, but it's never a bad thing to bring quality coaches into the system. How long before people start calling him a Wally loyalist though?

Interesting news about RP. Strange that they would re-sign Fraser just to relegate him to being a backup. I do think Phillips would excel at the safety position given his smarts. It can potentially extend his career as well.

Great news re: season ticket sales. Hopefully we can get back to averaging 30k+ every game and create a better atmosphere.

There is some familiarity between Jones between Bellefeuille. Bellefeuille was Hamilton's HC when Jones was the OC. Current BC OLC Doug Malone was also on the Ti-Cat staff in the same role. Hamilton's QB at the time? Why of course it was the same QB he was saddled with in his one year BC OC stint. Kevin Glenn was the Hamilton QB in 2011. The number comparisons between Glenn in 2011 & 2014 are scarily similar.

2011 - 18 GP 488 att, 307 comp, 62.9%, 3963 yards, 8.1 ave, 19 TDs, 17 INTs
2014 - 17 GP 479 att, 302 comp, 63.0%, 3918 yards, 8.2 ave, 17 TDs, 17 INTs

Overall Hamilton wasn't an awful team in 2011. They finished 3rd at 8-10 and ranked 4th in points for. They upset Montreal in the ESF before bowing out to Winnipeg in the ESF.

[WestCoastJoe]

Some great tidbits from NEWS1130 via Twitter this morning.

Hearing the #BCLions are talking with Marcel Bellefeuille about becoming the receivers coach.

Hearing the #BCLions are thinking about moving Ryan Phillips from halfback to safety.

Despite just 7 wins this season, the #BCLions are ahead in season tickets sales from this time a year ago.

DH

With talk of Marcel B as receivers coach, it looks more and more like Khari will be the OC.

Ryan Phillips at Safety? I'd rather keep Fraser there, where he can pound some receivers and help versus the run. RP is better as a cover guy.

Uh Oh, Wally is tinkering with the player positions (re Ryan Phillips). Ha Ha. Well of course he is; he is the Head Coach in name and in actual fact once again. But his tinkering at times makes some observers scratch their heads in wonder.

Very interesting off season all around the CFL ...

Edmonton. Ed Hervey is starting over. Hires Chris Jones. They build a championship team. Raided.

Ottawa. Much more than respectable.

Hamilton. Austin crabby as usual.

Montreal. Some cracks in what has largely been a stable organization.

Toronto. A place to call home. At last. Welcome Rich Stubler.

Regina. Raided the cookie jar. And got it away with it, it seems.

Winnipeg. Hmmm

Calgary. Exit Hufnagel. Enter Dickenson. Might not be as seamless as expected.

B.C. Wally Redux. Head Coach in name and fact. Deja vu all over again, as Yogi would say. Back to the Future.

[TheLionKing]

Wonder if the Lions considered moving Phillips to safety when JR Larose was here ?

[Hambone]

Wonder if the Lions considered moving Phillips to safety when JR Larose was here ?

It is likely more about safety being a better fit for Phillips at this point. His ballhawking instincts always seemed safety-like. Fraser had his moments last year. He showed some physicality but at other times got himself all tangled up in his own feet tryin to make a play. Phillips may not be be physical but definitely has the smarts a instincts to play th position very well.

[DanoT]

Wonder if the Lions considered moving Phillips to safety when JR Larose was here ?

It is likely more about safety being a better fit for Phillips at this point. His ballhawking instincts always seemed safety-like. Fraser had his moments last year. He showed some physicality but at other times got himself all tangled up in his own feet tryin to make a play. Phillips may not be be physical but definitely has the smarts a instincts to play th position very well.

If the Lions don't start a NAT at safety, then where do they add a new starting Nat? Centre maybe? And then if Harris leaves that is another starting Nat. position that will be filled by an INT.

They need to find a spot for Lokombo to start, maybe at nickel back in place of Josh Johnson? Or Lokombo takes Bighill's LB spot and Bighill becomes a nickel back.

[SammyGreene]

Wonder if the Lions considered moving Phillips to safety when JR Larose was here ?

It is likely more about safety being a better fit for Phillips at this point. His ballhawking instincts always seemed safety-like. Fraser had his moments last year. He showed some physicality but at other times got himself all tangled up in his own feet tryin to make a play. Phillips may not be be physical but definitely has the smarts a instincts to play th position very well.

If the Lions don't start a NAT at safety, then where do they add a new starting Nat? Centre maybe? And then if Harris leaves that is another starting Nat. position that will be filled by an INT.

They need to find a spot for Lokombo to start, maybe at nickel back in place of Josh Johnson? Or Lokombo takes Bighill's LB spot and Bighill becomes a nickel back.

Exactly what I was thinking too Danny.
Sure Phillips might be an effective safety at this stage of his career but the Lions need 7 starting nationals and Andrew Harris' future in BC is precarious at best. If he departs and Phillips is at safety that would drop the number down to 5 — Fabien, Husband, Westerman/Menard and the combo of Gore/Collie/Lumbala for 2 spots based on formations (4 or 5 receiver sets).
No way I pencil Hunter Steward in for anything until he actually can stay healthy for more than just a training camp. Right now he is just a potential bonus piece. Lokombo is ready and needs to be an every down player. How the Lions work him into the starting line-up should be a top off-season priority.

That would work the number back up to 6. Does Wally dip into free agency for a quality starting national offensive lineman? Wouldn't be the first time it's discussed here and wouldn't be the first time the Josh Bourke Brent Jones of the world didn't end up in BC either. Maybe Matt Norman gets a second chance or Tre Player earns the other starting guard start for the 3rd consecutive season (only later to be demoted)?

Poor Fraser. Signs a new deal and hears through the media 4 days later the Lions would like to go with a different player at his position. Life as a pro athlete I guess but really nothing but talk from Wally for now until there are some serious upgrades and better options with national talent.

[Hambone]

Exactly what I was thinking too Danny.
Sure Phillips might be an effective safety at this stage of his career but the Lions need 7 starting nationals and Andrew Harris' future in BC is precarious at best. If he departs and Phillips is at safety that would drop the number down to 5 — Fabien, Husband, Westerman/Menard and the combo of Gore/Collie/Lumbala for 2 spots based on formations (4 or 5 receiver sets).
No way I pencil Hunter Steward in for anything until he actually can stay healthy for more than just a training camp. Right now he is just a potential bonus piece. Lokombo is ready and needs to be an every down player. How the Lions work him into the starting line-up should be a top off-season priority.

That would work the number back up to 6. Does Wally dip into free agency for a quality starting national offensive lineman? Wouldn't be the first time it's discussed here and wouldn't be the first time the Josh Bourke Brent Jones of the world didn't end up in BC either. Maybe Matt Norman gets a second chance or Tre Player earns the other starting guard start for the 3rd consecutive season (only later to be demoted)?

Poor Fraser. Signs a new deal and hears through the media 4 days later the Lions would like to go with a different player at his position. Life as a pro athlete I guess but really nothing but talk from Wally for now until there are some serious upgrades and better options with national talent.

They wouldn't consider moving Phillips to safety without also considering ratio impacts. Johnson is a pending FA. Fraser is of similar size. There could be a move into a similar role as Johnson perhaps allowing Lokombo to start and Fraser to rotate in on passing situations without having to make further ratio moves. That could lock up an LB position as a NAT starting spot. Also up on the DL could there be considerations for starting 2 NATs? Menard continues to develop to the point he needs more playing time. And there are also youngters in last year's draft picks Ese Marburg-Ajufo and Maxx Forde. Could they be looking at Menard to replace Khreem Smith as a starter? If EMA and Forde aren't ready to be activated into backup roles then they might as well be cut. If they are ready room has to be made for them and that would be difficult if Menard remains slotted in one of the backup/rotational roles. You can't dress 3 backup NAT DL every game.

[WestCoastJoe]

Exactly what I was thinking too Danny.
Sure Phillips might be an effective safety at this stage of his career but the Lions need 7 starting nationals and Andrew Harris' future in BC is precarious at best. If he departs and Phillips is at safety that would drop the number down to 5 — Fabien, Husband, Westerman/Menard and the combo of Gore/Collie/Lumbala for 2 spots based on formations (4 or 5 receiver sets).
No way I pencil Hunter Steward in for anything until he actually can stay healthy for more than just a training camp. Right now he is just a potential bonus piece. Lokombo is ready and needs to be an every down player. How the Lions work him into the starting line-up should be a top off-season priority.

That would work the number back up to 6. Does Wally dip into free agency for a quality starting national offensive lineman? Wouldn't be the first time it's discussed here and wouldn't be the first time the Josh Bourke Brent Jones of the world didn't end up in BC either. Maybe Matt Norman gets a second chance or Tre Player earns the other starting guard start for the 3rd consecutive season (only later to be demoted)?

Poor Fraser. Signs a new deal and hears through the media 4 days later the Lions would like to go with a different player at his position. Life as a pro athlete I guess but really nothing but talk from Wally for now until there are some serious upgrades and better options with national talent.

They wouldn't consider moving Phillips to safety without also considering ratio impacts. Johnson is a pending FA. Fraser is of similar size. There could be a move into a similar role as Johnson perhaps allowing Lokombo to start and Fraser to rotate in on passing situations without having to make further ratio moves. That could lock up an LB position as a NAT starting spot. Also up on the DL could there be considerations for starting 2 NATs? Menard continues to develop to the point he needs more playing time. And there are also youngters in last year's draft picks Ese Marburg-Ajufo and Maxx Forde. Could they be looking at Menard to replace Khreem Smith as a starter? If EMA and Forde aren't ready to be activated into backup roles then they might as well be cut. If they are ready room has to be made for them and that would be difficult if Menard remains slotted in one of the backup/rotational roles. You can't dress 3 backup NAT DL every game.

This fan would be surprised if we went with two Ns in our D Line. DL Is are much more readily available, with usually better skill sets, size, experience, et cetera.

It would seem better to this fan if we planned to use 1 N in the D Line. Another on defence, as with Safety, or LB. 2 Ns on defence is adequate.

5 Ns on offence could be planned. At least 3 in the OL. 2 receivers or FB. RB if Harris is here.

The required number of Ns is not difficult these days.

As noted frequently, the best teams do the best jobs of drafting, planning, developing and utilizing N talent. Lately that has not been us.

Do we have the N talent to allow us maximum flexibility with the ratio? No, we do not.

Just IMO ...