Thanks for posting, sj-roc. Very interesting log of his quotes, actions and controversies.
It's a head shaker. This man is out of control. Doesn't say much for the screening process when the Bombers hired him. I hope the Bombers get things under control before they slip down into Argos' territory.
Kelly brings back memories of Jeff Reinbold, another guy in his own world. He was actually a helluva special teams coach with the Lions at one time. I attended a work shop where he was a presenter. He kept it low key at that time, but you could tell he was not your Tom Landry or Wally Buono type. More like a skinny little Hells Angel with his Harley. Vroom vroom.
Dec. 2/08—The Ringmaster Arrives
What: His first day on the job, Kelly makes it clear what his area of expertise is.
Quotable: “No one’s touching the quarterbacks but me.” — Kelly
Jan. 13/09 — Sign of Trouble?
What: Director of player personnel Brendan Taman resigns, citing burnout.
Quotable: “I would tell you if I couldn’t work with Mike Kelly.” — Taman
Jan. 21/09—QB Conundrum
What: Citing his faith in unproven Stefan LeFors, Kelly puts veteran Kevin Glenn on the trade block.
Quotable: “There comes a time, in everyone’s career at places, that maybe a change of scenery would help them.” — Kelly
Jan. 27/09 — The Napkin Caper
What: Kelly takes a run at Taman’s scouting system.
Quotable: “Everything was done on napkins, I guess.” — Kelly
Jan. 29/09 — Apology No. 1
What: Kelly posts 1,100-word statement on the team web site.
Quotable: “I apologize to Brendan for the perceived slight.” — Kelly
March 9/09—QB Conundrum, Pt. II
What: Kelly releases Glenn, outright.
Quotable: “I have a lot of confidence in the intelligence and athleticism of the (quarterbacks) we have under contract right now.” — Kelly
March 18/09 — Oops, Pt. I
What: The CFL raps Kelly’s knuckles for planning to have his QBs join rookies at a free agent camp.
Quotable: Nothing, because an irate Kelly was quickly muzzled by club president Lyle Bauer.
April 21/09 — Crotch Shot
What: Kelly refers to Saskatchewan as the “crotch of Canada.”
Quotable: “We kind of raided the toothless, green, watermelon-helmet-wearing people from the crotch of Canada.” —Kelly
April 24/09 — Apology No. 2
What: Bauer issues a formal apology.
June 3/09 — Oops, Pt. II
What: The CFL admonishes Kelly again for having his veteran QBs get together prior to training camp.
June 3/09 — Media Wars
What: Kelly clashes with Winnipeg TV crews over restricted filming times on the first day of rookie camp.
June 18/09 — Shotgun Blast
What: Kelly questions the wisdom of coaches using the shotgun formation.
Quotable: Kelly said the shotgun was for “flag football and guys that haven’t coached quarterbacks very well.”
June 21/09 — Oops, Pt. III
What: The league forces the Bombers to give up two draft picks to B.C. when it’s discovered the pick they originally sent to the Lions for O-lineman Kelly Bates had already been conditionally promised to another team in another deal.
June 29/09 — Media Wars, the Sequel
What: Kelly flips out on TV crews after one of them films his kicker running a fake punt in practice.
Quotable: Nothing, because Kelly refused to do his daily media scrum after practice.
June 29/09 — Gone, Not Forgotten
What: A public backlash causes the Bombers to reverse their decision to give linebacker Siddeeq Shabazz the No. 1 jersey last worn by perennial all-star running back Charles Roberts.
The Season
Week 2 — The Armstrong Affair
What: star receiver Derick Armstrong balks at taking a backup role, has a heated argument with Kelly and is eventually released.
Quotable: “The team is always bigger than any individuals.” —Kelly
Week 3 — SpyGate
What: Bomber scout is caught spying on Hamilton’s practice.
Quotable: “It’s a non-isssue, it’s been handled internally and I’m not talking about it.” — Kelly
Week 5 — About-Face
What: Citing a bad environment in which to groom a QB, Kelly gives up on Stefan LeFors and signs CFL castoff Michael Bishop.
Quotable: “It’s just the schizophrenic reactions to wins and losses around here.” —Kelly
Week 7 — Oops, Pt. IV
What: After saying Kelly Bates was hurt, the Bombers improperly try to cut the veteran O-lineman, eventually relegating him to the nine-game injury list.
Week 8 — The LeFors Saga
What: Turns out Kelly’s annointed QB was given an ultimatum: take a $60,000 pay cut, or get cut.
Quotable: “When I feel like I have a gun to my head, what am I going to do?” — LeFors
Week 9 — Don’t Touch that Dial
What: Kelly bans callers to his weekly radio call-in show.
Quotable: “You can ask questions face-to-face, rather than having phone muscles... don’t hide behind a computer or a phone and act like you’re a big guy.” — Kelly
Week 9 — Pacman Cometh
What: News breaks the Bombers are on the verge of signing NFL bad boy Pacman Jones. After watching Jones’ web video the next day, the plan is scrapped.
Quotable: “I just signed with the UFL, man. So I’ll go to the UFL and do my thing and get ready for the playoff run in the NFL ... I meant to say the CFL, man, not the UFL. My bad.” — Jones
Week 10 — The Simpson Diaries, Pt. I
What: Veteran linebacker Barrin Simpson asks to be traded.
Quotable: “It’s just a business disagreement.” — Simpson
Week 11 — Shipped Out
What: The Bombers trade veteran receivers Romby Bryant and Arjei Franklin.
Quotable: “Romby loves the fact he’s out of there. He’s been asking since Day 2 or 3 to get out of there.” — TSN commentator Milt Stegall, on Bryant.
Week 12 — The Simpson Diaries, Pt. II
What: The CFL overturns Winnipeg’s attempt to place Simpson on the nine-game injury list because Simpson didn’t agree to the move. Meanwhile, the linebacker is banned from the locker-room for allegedly being a negative influence.
Quotable: “That is ridiculous. Someone’s trying to make me look bad.” — Simpson
Week 12 — The Confrontation?
What: A TSN report says Bishop was ready to quit the team after a confrontation with Kelly.
Quotable: “That is absolutely beautiful. The only time he and I have ever raised the volume is when we’re laughing.” — Kelly
Week 16: Old Lefty Returns/Media Wars
What: Desperate for a healthy punter, Kelly brings back kicker Troy Westwood, who’d been banished by former coach Doug Berry.
Quotable: “That isn’t how we want to treat Winnipeg Blue Bombers.” — Kelly
What: Kelly causes another firestorm by changing practice time the day before a game without telling the media.
Quotable: “I want to apologize to everyone who had their panties in a ball.” — a sarcastic Kelly
Week 17 — Radio B.S.
What: Kelly launches into a juvenile tirade on the radio after an embarrassing loss in Montreal.
Quotable: “Media bulls---” — the term Kelly used before hanging up on play-by-play man Bob Irving
Week 18 — The Floyd Fiasco
What: Kelly get into it with Hamilton linebacker Otis Floyd in the final game of the regular season.
Quotable: “He has no class at all. He told me to go f--- myself.” — Floyd
“Does Otis have a degree? I doubt it.” — Kelly
The Post-Season
Nov. 10: Kelly vows to return in 2010: “I know damn well I’ll be back. I’m not going anywhere.”
Grey Cup Week: Kelly gets into an argument with a fan in a Calgary bar.
Today: Kelly charged with assault and harrassment at his home near Philadelphia, after a domestic incident that left his former girlfriend cut and bruised. Hours later, Bombers fire Kelly.
From what I've been hearing he has no morals clause in his contract and even if he did, so far all there is are allegations.
