BC Lions Coaching Changes

[SammyGreene]

Farhan Lalji said in the first pregame show today that the Lions didn’t want to make an announcement now lest it be a distraction during Grey Cup week. Expect to hear something soon afterwards.

Interesting as you think it would be really easy to quickly give McElvoy/Campbell a vote of confidence and move on with Grey Cup week and 2025 business.

If they have all along been selling Vienneau/Doman on the fact they think they are close to the Bombers then what has unfolded the last 12 weeks, culminating with yesterday's Western Final is the exact opposite. Maybe their exit meeting included what they plan on changing for 2025 including coordinators or assistant coaches and those announcements are pending.

But as I posted elsewhere, I would be reaching out to Buck Pierce this week to see if there is any interest of being the HC here. Borrow a page from Bob Ackles when the Eskimos dynasty was winding down in the early 80s and he hired their defensive coordnator.

[Toppy Vann]

Farhan Lalji said in the first pregame show today that the Lions didn’t want to make an announcement now lest it be a distraction during Grey Cup week. Expect to hear something soon afterwards.

Interesting as you think it would be really easy to quickly give McElvoy/Campbell a vote of confidence and move on with Grey Cup week and 2025 business.

If they have all along been selling Vienneau/Doman on the fact they think they are close to the Bombers then what has unfolded the last 12 weeks, culminating with yesterday's Western Final is the exact opposite. Maybe their exit meeting included what they plan on changing for 2025 including coordinators or assistant coaches and those announcements are pending.

But as I posted elsewhere, I would be reaching out to Buck Pierce this week to see if there is any interest of being the HC here. Borrow a page from Bob Ackles when the Eskimos dynasty was winding down in the early 80s and he hired their defensive coordnator.

As much as I'd love for BC to have Buck Pierce as HC, it would not be something BC would ask pre-GC. Bombers would be livid and rightly so as this would be a huge distraction. IIRC the Bombers have refused these requests in the past. The key would be is Buck interested for family and football reasons. He may simply want to hang in there as no doubt they pay him pretty well and going to successive GCs gives you the job security that business lacks.

I don't see Duane Vienneau having much say with the owner on this issue. His background is not football decisions. Yes, he could suggest ideas around this but something this big would be the owner's call.

https://www.bclions.com/duane-vienneau/

[Blitz]

If I am Amar Doman, I am having private meetings at Grey Cup week to get people's take on what went wrong with the season and what changes are needed. Yes, this includes the question, would you keep the coaching staff intact?

I'd have one meeting with team leaders like TJ Lee and David Mackie, getting their private thoughts, and others with CFL insiders such as Farhan Lalji (who knows this club better than anyone as he talks to a lot of players), Paul LaPolice (who can break down film and has been a HC himself), former Leos who watch this team closely etc.


DH

I agree with the above, but would add: just don't ask Wally to consult.

You are most wise DanoT. Montreal and Edmonton paid out some huge bucks to Wally to consult, without doing due diligence, and those organizations have learned a hard lesson that reputation and competency can be two very different things.

[Hambone]

Wally's helping with Edmonton's situation seems to come with mixed opinions. I've read opposing opinions. Some have said they hired Jones on Wally's recommendation while others have indicated Edmonton ignored his recommendation to NOT hire Jones. In Montreal he was brought on board to consult when they were looking to hire a new GM after the 2019 season. They would go on to hire Danny Maciocia. Can anybody make a case for that not working out?

[DanoT]

Wally's helping with Edmonton's situation seems to come with mixed opinions. I've read opposing opinions. Some have said they hired Jones on Wally's recommendation while others have indicated Edmonton ignored his recommendation to NOT hire Jones. In Montreal he was brought on board to consult when they were looking to hire a new GM after the 2019 season. They would go on to hire Danny Maciocia. Can anybody make a case for that not working out?

There are things about Wally's Way that I'm ok with and things I didn't like. He was at his best when Bob Ackles was his boss but that was very early in Wally's tenure with the Lions and didn't last long enough due to Bob Ackles passing away.

[B.C.FAN]

According to Rick Dhaliwal, Lions broadcast analyst Giulio Caravatta suggests the Lions will shake up their management and coaching staff week and appoint Ryan Rigmaiden as GM.

[don corleone]

No mention of Neil McEvoy

[Lion Guy]

According to Rick Dhaliwal, Lions broadcast analyst Giulio Caravatta suggests the Lions will shake up their management and coaching staff week and appoint Ryan Rigmaiden as GM.

Good. They can all go. Need fresh new blood here.

[Clash Dance]

Interesting for sure. Underwhelmed by the US FA's brought in this season, but was Ringmaiden with the Bombers recently? If so, and based on their recent success, I'd say he is probably well connected in US football circles which was a strength of Bobby Ackles. Now who can he lure to coach and bring accountability and passion back into this team? Let the offseason begin!

[B.C.FAN]

Interesting for sure. Underwhelmed by the US FA's brought in this season, but was Ringmaiden with the Bombers recently? If so, and based on their recent success, I'd say he is probably well connected in US football circles which was a strength of Bobby Ackles. Now who can he lure to coach and bring accountability and passion back into this team? Let the offseason begin!

Agreed on the Lions’ underwhelming recruitment under Rigmaiden. The Blue Bombers, without Rigmaiden, got to the Grey Cup this year with 3 rookie starting wide receivers. The only rookies who contributed on offence for the Lions this year were WR Stanley Berryhill and OL Kory Woodruff.

[maxlion]

Just rumours at this point, but:

Not surprised to hear the Campbell to Edmonton rumours. That is for GM I presume. I was expecting that sooner or later, though I would personally be happy to see him stick around.

It was also only a matter of time before Rigmaiden became a GM. Either have to make room for him or watch him leave. Hard to imagine the Lions without McEvoy though. Would he still have a role with the team?

If Campbell leaves, the big question will be who will be the coach. Both Phillips and Maksymik's names have been kicked around in the past, but the shine has come off in the past year. Maybe time for Buck Pierce to leave Winnipeg? Rigmaiden has a connection there, and Buck has a connection to BC.

[David]

Just rumours at this point, but:

Not surprised to hear the Campbell to Edmonton rumours. That is for GM I presume. I was expecting that sooner or later, though I would personally be happy to see him stick around.

It was also only a matter of time before Rigmaiden became a GM. Either have to make room for him or watch him leave. Hard to imagine the Lions without McEvoy though. Would he still have a role with the team?

If Campbell leaves, the big question will be who will be the coach. Both Phillips and Maksymik's names have been kicked around in the past, but the shine has come off in the past year. Maybe time for Buck Pierce to leave Winnipeg? Rigmaiden has a connection there, and Buck has a connection to BC.

Would like to see Buck get a shot at HC and Lapo as OC, although I never found Buck to be terribly charismatic as a player and I think he is a Winnipeg lifer at this point. Lapo a hard no to become HC but I don't he would move out west to become an OC.

I am intrigued by the thought of Jarious as HC as I liked how the Elks rallied around him when Jones was let go. He is a natural leader. Not overly fond of him as OC but I am sure we can find an innovative coordinator.

Baron Miles might be another name to consider although I would rather go with someone like Noel Thorpe due to his extensive track record as Montreal's DC. His defense consistently balls out for him.


DH

[TheLionKing]

Solid No to Jarius as a head coach and offensive coordinator.

[B.C.FAN]

Neil McEvoy is director of football operations and co-GM so he could potentially keep the former title and remain a notch above Rigmaiden.

[Sir Purrcival]

Doesn't Baron Miles, suffer from dyslexia or Add?
If so, you would worry a little about how that might impact ability to do the role.