CFL Coaching & GM Changes for 2025

[DanoT]

Prospects for retaining Maksymic seem slim to none if Buck is true to his word on calling the plays. No longer having those responsibilities would be like a demotion to OC-Lite for Jordan. Both EDM and now WPG have OC vacancies where JM would be top of the offensive coaching food chain.

I don't like the idea of a rookie HC also being the OC/play caller. Also Buck as an OC called plays from high up in the booth and now he will be calling plays from the sidelines and not seeing the field as clearly. I'd much prefer a HC who has active input into his OC's play calling.

[Hambone]

Prospects for retaining Maksymic seem slim to none if Buck is true to his word on calling the plays. No longer having those responsibilities would be like a demotion to OC-Lite for Jordan. Both EDM and now WPG have OC vacancies where JM would be top of the offensive coaching food chain.

I don't like the idea of a rookie HC also being the OC/play caller. Also Buck as an OC called plays from high up in the booth and now he will be calling plays from the sidelines and not seeing the field as clearly. I'd much prefer a HC who has active input into his OC's play calling.

Buck used to call from the booth. He moved down to the sidelines 6 or so games into the season while the Bombers were struggling. He stayed down on the sidelines the rest of the year.

[B.C.FAN]

Jordyn Maksymic has been confirmed as offensive coordinator in Mark Kilam’a new Edmonton staff.

https://3downnation.com/2024/12/04/home ... rdinators/

[OV:54-40]

Wonder if Buck will want to go the Dinwiddie route as HC & OC ? - worked pretty well (understatement) for the Argos.

Also wonder if he will be able to bring some Bombers' FAs with him: receiver Schoen and O-lineman Dobson might be pretty good additions.

And will he see vet Stanback as an Oliveira type with lots of ground game as a feature of his offence ? - I;m not so sure there, as in this past GC where the run game was IMO not used near enough. Getting Rourke back to 2022 speed might be the big focus; the receiving corps with McInnis, Cottoy and hopefully Hatcher & Hollins finding their best form again (plus imagine Schoen in there) , is potentially dynamite, but new receiver talent emerges for CFL teams almost every season. O-line improvement is needed.

A new DC to lead a tough D go with a perhaps explosive offence is a big question mark IMO.

[don corleone]

Considering Neil McEvoy and Geroy Simon once served as co assistant GMs it would seem a good fit to bring him back. I think he has upside from being in charge of the Canadian draft. Unless there is bad blood which is the underlying theme of my whole conspiracy theory.

Alternatively Geroy would be a good replacement for Ted Goveia in Winnipeg where the rats are jumping ship left and right. Either way I hope he finds a job soon.

[SammyGreene]

Jordyn Maksymic has been confirmed as offensive coordinator in Mark Kilam’a new Edmonton staff.

https://3downnation.com/2024/12/04/home ... rdinators/

Have to think a real good chance former Edmonton star Jason Tucker follows him as receivers coach and Makysmic's 2nd in command at field level.

Other than Campbell also ending up in Edmonton, everything is playing out the way I thought it would. We definitely needed to make changes but both Calgary and the Elks benefit from our departures. The West is shaping up to be even more competitive in 2025.


Not encouraged about RIgmaiden heaping praise on Phillips, especially since he has a year remaining on his contract. Given what the Bombers did against our defence the past few years it will be interesting what Buck thinks. Campbell's fingerprints better be all over the Lions defensive schemes and philosophy to justify keeping Phillips DC.

[DanoT]

Not encouraged about RIgmaiden heaping praise on Phillips, especially since he has a year remaining on his contract. Given what the Bombers did against our defence the past few years it will be interesting what Buck thinks. Campbell's fingerprints better be all over the Lions defensive schemes and philosophy to justify keeping Phillips DC.

As the former Bomber OC, Buck knows how to beat the Lions D, so I expect regardless of who the DC is, Phillips or someone new, the soft, "bend but don't break", style D is OVER.

[Hambone]

BC DL Coach John Bowman has jumped ship to join Calgary's staff. Stamps also promoted LBC Bob Slowik to take over Monson's DC vacancy. Barron Miles also joins their staff.

https://www.cfl.ca/2024/12/16/stamps-an ... dbs-coach/

[don corleone]

Once again I like the moves by Calgary. If I recall Bob Slowik's son coaches in the NFL so that is an interesting connection that may come in handy. I also did not mind him in Montreal with Mike Sherman and coincidentally VA but I don't think this had anything to do with him. I like the addition of Baron Miles.

Stamps look like a playoff team to me and looking at the west you could ask who is going to beat them.

[OV:54-40]

Good luck Cowtown. Barron Miles with the RedBlacks was the director of one of the worst defensive secondaries I've ever seen in the CFL. I told my RedBlacks season ticket rep I would consider not renewing if they kept Miles around. The Stamps coaching staff now is a typical CFL recycling clique of hacks with lousy resumes - Davey's nepotism hire of his brother after he's a joke of a HC with the Riders, and now Miles. A good old boys club of who you know, not what you know. Recycle, ru-use - fresh new coaching minds need not apply; former players who are hangers-on with ultra limited coaching experience & resumes will be considered though. Same old CFL stuff.

[don corleone]

Good luck Cowtown. Barron Miles with the RedBlacks was the director of one of the worst defensive secondaries I've ever seen in the CFL. I told my RedBlacks season ticket rep I would consider not renewing if they kept Miles around. The Stamps coaching staff now is a typical CFL recycling clique of hacks with lousy resumes - Davey's nepotism hire of his brother after he's a joke of a HC with the Riders, and now Miles. A good old boys club of who you know, not what you know. Recycle, ru-use - fresh new coaching minds need not apply; former players who are hangers-on with ultra limited coaching experience & resumes will be considered though. Same old CFL stuff.

There is no comparison between being at the game and watching from home on tv. Always so much more than is just seen on camera. Unfortunately for me tv offers more than radio lately.

That said, I thought Ottawa has done a good job of bringing in some good dbs. Dandridge is a ball hawk and return threat while McGhee did reasonably well for a young player imo. Also helps to have the D line Ottawa has. I can see them being a tough opponent to play next year.

Noticing Pat DelMonaco remaining offensive coordinator for Calgary makes me wonder who will be calling plays.

[B.C.FAN]

Saskatchewan has added linebackers coach Travis Brown, who spent the past six seasons in the same role with the Lions.

https://3downnation.com/2024/12/19/ride ... ing-staff/

[Hambone]

A bit of false reporting by 3D on Brown spending 6 seasons in BC. When I first saw the 6 year reference I knew it didn't make sense as I knew he was an original Rick Campbell hire. Brown was on Edmonton's staff in 2019 while Stubler was handling the dual DC/LBC in BC. Having played under Rick Campbell in Ottawa for 2 years he was hired by Rick as part of his initial staff for the 2020 season which of course never happened. 2021 would have been the first season he actually got to do some coaching in BC.

[Hambone]

3D reporting that Mike Benevides is now BC's DC. There's no word yet on whether Phillips is being shown the door or if he's take on a different role.

https://3downnation.com/2024/12/19/b-c- ... or-report/

[Toppy Vann]

3D reporting that Mike Benevides is now BC's DC. There's no word yet on whether Phillips is being shown the door or if he's take on a different role.

https://3downnation.com/2024/12/19/b-c- ... or-report/

I'm not sure of this pick but I have enough confidence in Buck to get this right.

The other part of Ryan Phillips staying in is a bit strange if it's demotion.

Farhan is tweeting

Hearing that Mike Benevides has agreed to become the defensive coordinator of
@BCLions
. The same role he held from 2008-2011.
Wouldn’t surprise me to see Ryan Phillips retained on staff, but not confirmed yet.