Head Coach - Lions announce Jeff Tedford as 2015 HC

[Big Time]

That fact that Tedford is getting a massive severance also makes this even better, in that he'd basically be working for the Lions for free, provided he was willing. The biggest risk would be that he would jump ship once his severance payments are up and he can go back on the US market.

[Toppy Vann]

What I'd be highly concerned about is -

1. Tedford's health and why the Bucs don't want him back - what do the doctors know we don't. A HC with a heart attack in mid season can devastate a team especially if you don't have a logical successor with his logical successor all lined up to take over.

2. Is he so offence minded he wants to call every play and tinker in every little detail?

3. Can he really see the HC role in the pros game is different than the college level?

4. Is he CFL ready?

Credentials are great and so is the fact he looks to be in no financial needs sounds extremely positive.

I'd still feel more comfortable if Wally had a process and ran a few more into town like Lapo - even for just a listen and learn from them.

The process should be helping you hear from others their view of your team and organization. In fact many organizations interview broadly even when they know who their guy is precisely to keep learning how they are viewed and get more ideas on what they need to do to get back to success.

Even if Trestman called (and said I'll take it) I'd like if I were a GM to say yes but keep quiet while I gather more info with a few more interviews but you're the man.

[Rammer]

What I'd be highly concerned about is -

1. Tedford's health and why the Bucs don't want him back - what do the doctors know we don't. A HC with a heart attack in mid season can devastate a team especially if you don't have a logical successor with his logical successor all lined up to take over.

2. Is he so offence minded he wants to call every play and tinker in every little detail?

3. Can he really see the HC role in the pros game is different than the college level?

4. Is he CFL ready?

Credentials are great and so is the fact he looks to be in no financial needs sounds extremely positive.

I'd still feel more comfortable if Wally had a process and ran a few more into town like Lapo - even for just a listen and learn from them.

The process should be helping you hear from others their view of your team and organization. In fact many organizations interview broadly even when they know who their guy is precisely to keep learning how they are viewed and get more ideas on what they need to do to get back to success.

Even if Trestman called (and said I'll take it) I'd like if I were a GM to say yes but keep quiet while I gather more info with a few more interviews but you're the man.

Yes the interview process for a HC can help you recognize your vulnerble areas, and that is why LaPolice interview would be interesting, as he has had his eye on the entire CFL and what works and what doesn't. Wally would be foolish to not give as many candidates some input and be very receptive to what they would change or keep in the Lions schemes/players.

[KnowItAll]

Some research on Tedford's philosophy. He's a no huggle guy, likes getting his offensive lineman into space (he prefers athletic offensive lineman), he runs a lot of screens, and he is very big on getting speed into space.

that's a big plus for me. I do not like lardo o-linemen. Give me more nick benjamins or maybe chris Shultz.

[Rammer]

Some research on Tedford's philosophy. He's a no huggle guy, likes getting his offensive lineman into space (he prefers athletic offensive lineman), he runs a lot of screens, and he is very big on getting speed into space.

that's a big plus for me. I do not like lardo o-linemen. Give me more nick benjamins or maybe chris Shultz.

To each their own.

I just hope that Tedford has his own go to OL coach to bring in.

[TheLionKing]

What I'd be highly concerned about is -

1. Tedford's health and why the Bucs don't want him back - what do the doctors know we don't. A HC with a heart attack in mid season can devastate a team especially if you don't have a logical successor with his logical successor all lined up to take over.

The NFL tends to shy away from red flags such as health problems. Remember Jovan Olafioye ? He was released even though the doctors pronounced him that his heart problems is under control.

[JohnHenry]

The Lions had head coach in his mid-50's with heart trouble, which required off-season surgery...but Wally still led the Lions to the Grey Cup a couple more times (albeit without the Gatorade shower.) I also remember Cal Murphy did pretty well after receiving his heart transplant. So depending on the severity of Tedford's ailment he shouldn't be dismissed outright without further investigation.

[Hambone]

The Lions had head coach in his mid-50's with heart trouble, which required off-season surgery...but Wally still led the Lions to the Grey Cup a couple more times (albeit without the Gatorade shower.) I also remember Cal Murphy did pretty well after receiving his heart transplant. So depending on the severity of Tedford's ailment he shouldn't be dismissed outright without further investigation.

Yup. Murphy had jammers in 78 and 85 and a transplant in 92. Didn't seem to stop him. He played HC for 6 more years after the transplant. "Heart problems" can range from very serious to more of a wake up call that the person might want to change some of his life style habits. Football coaches tend to lead a less than healthy lifestyle given the long hours and bad eating habits that come with it. For Tedford perhaps it was a case of the latter catching up to him.

[prj]

I am underwhelmed by the news!

Yet another Wally ... But without the track record.

[The_Pauser]

I am underwhelmed by the news!

Yet another Wally ... But without the track record.

You shouldn't be underwhelmed. He has quite a strong track record in the NCAA, and was a recent OC in the NFL. The only reason he's available is because of his health issues which caused him to have to leave his job as the OC in Tampa.

If he's going to get the results Wally got then sign me up!

[WestCoastJoe]

http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/20 ... h-bc-lions

Jeff Tedford to Canada? British Columbia Lions might hire him

By Avinash Kunnath@avinashkunnath on Dec 12 2014, 4:22a 11

This could be a thing.

So Jeff Tedford might have found an ideal landing spot for himself after all. How about going north of the border to Canada?

SportsNet in Canada is reporting that Tedford might very well be the man for the job for the British Columbia Lions.

Wally Buono may be going back in time to find the coach of the future for the B.C. Lions.

League sources tell Sportsnet that the Lions are leaning toward hiring Jeff Tedford, the former CFL quarterback who groomed Aaron Rodgers in college while head coach of the California Golden Bears, as the next head coach of the Lions.

The 53-year-old Tedford worked with, and for, Buono on the Calgary Stampeders coaching staff between 1989 and 1991 when he was entering the coaching ranks.

This makes a lot of sense for Tedford. The CFL is a distinct step down from the high-octane pressures of the NFL and college football. Sure, if you fail, you fail, but the worse the Canadians probably do is not give the coaches maple syrup with their pancakes when they fall on hard times. You get to live and coach in Vancouver, which is probably one of the 10 most beautiful cities on the planet. You can distance yourself from all the bad feelings left in Tampa and Berkeley for awhile.

And you get to be the head coach again. That's always nice!

(Hey, and Jordan Rodgers just signed with B.C.! This could be a match made in heaven.)

This makes a lot of sense for Tedford. The CFL is a distinct step down from the high-octane pressures of the NFL and college football.

Might be less pressure in a smaller pond. And maybe not.

Sure, if you fail, you fail, but the worse the Canadians probably do is not give the coaches maple syrup with their pancakes when they fall on hard times.

Ha ha ... Park your car at the border. Mount the Ski-Doo. Keep your eyes open. You might see an Igloo. Oh yes, and the people? Nice. Maple syrup nice.

You get to live and coach in Vancouver, which is probably one of the 10 most beautiful cities on the planet.

Yeah. Got that right.

[B.C.FAN]

Lots of activity on the Jeff Tedford front, according to tweets from Rick Dhaliwal of News1130 Sports. It looks like Mark Washington is sticking close to Wally during the courtship.

News1130 Sports @News1130Sports
#BCLions gm Wally Buono will spend a good chunk of today with top coaching candidate Jeff Tedford at the Lions training facility in Surrey.

Tedford will meet Lions staff, look at he facility, go over the roster, the neg list. #coaching vacancy.

If hired, Tedford will improve the #BCLions offense and grow a quarterback or 2.

Find it hard to believe George Cortez won't end up in B.C, worked with Buono and Tedford in past.

Tedford had dinner with Buono and defensive co-ordinater Marc Washington last night. #BCLionscoachingvacancy.

[WestCoastJoe]

Lots of activity on the Jeff Tedford front, according to tweets from Rick Dhaliwal of News1130 Sports. It looks like Mark Washington is sticking close to Wally during the courtship.

News1130 Sports @News1130Sports
#BCLions gm Wally Buono will spend a good chunk of today with top coaching candidate Jeff Tedford at the Lions training facility in Surrey.

Tedford will meet Lions staff, look at he facility, go over the roster, the neg list. #coaching vacancy.

If hired, Tedford will improve the #BCLions offense and grow a quarterback or 2.

Find it hard to believe George Cortez won't end up in B.C, worked with Buono and Tedford in past.

Tedford had dinner with Buono and defensive co-ordinater Marc Washington last night. #BCLionscoachingvacancy.

Very interesting, BCF.

No reason to think Mark W has fallen out of Buono's good books. Well, except for the collapse down the stretch. LOL But it would still seem Mark W has very good potential as a DC.

Serious courtship of Tedford by Buono. Good. Now if Tedford returns the feeling, even better.

Tedford has worked in some amazing facilities. Somewhat more humble in the CFL. But our stadium is first class. Practice facility is pretty good.

Cortez? No problem for me, especially as he would be working with Tedford.

Grow a quarterback or two? Cool ...

Wally has had something of a charmed life. For sure. Can he pull this rabbit out of the hat? The very fact that Tedford is here, in serious talks, is very encouraging.

IMO, if Tedford likes what he sees and hears, no need to go any further in the process. We will not see another candidate with his credentials, IMO. Sign him up. I know Toppy has recommended talkling to other candidates, get a read on how they see our team, et cetera. But I think this is an extraordinary circumstance. The man is downsizing.

"Dear, I would like to marry you, but first I have to just check out a few other candidates."

Gonna go through a dance with LaPolice? Or anybody else? Dunno about that ...

Just IMO ...
...........

And if Tedford backs out, on to Plan B. Or C.

Any guarantee Tedford is going to raise the bar in the CFL? No. But the odds are good that he will be very, very good as a Head Coach. An Xs and Os match for anybody. Fully experienced. Fully qualified and beyond. A teacher. I recall Chuck Noll, when asked what he wished to be remembered as, said: "a teacher."

Would Tedford have autonomy? Ummmm ... Yes. LOL

[Rammer]

Just listening to the radio and 1040 suggested that the Oilers problems stem from not doing due diligence in the process. They hire exactly who they fall in love with and don't court anyone else. If we apply that with the Lions, it could be said that they are in a similar pattern right now.

[WestCoastJoe]

Just listening to the radio and 1040 suggested that the Oilers problems stem from not doing due diligence in the process. They hire exactly who they fall in love with and don't court anyone else. If we apply that with the Lions, it could be said that they are in a similar pattern right now.

Dunno, Rammer. If you find the best candidate right away, do you really want to bring in LaPolice, Barrett, and whatever other names might be out there?

It seems to me it comes down to your judgment.

Is it all that important to see what other candidates might think of your roster? I don't think so.

Just IMO. Obviously, others will see it differently.

I know a highly qualified guy, who wished to downsize. Had a situation of interest. Talked to them. Said, I like the job. But if you want me for this job, you will have to close down the process at this time. No further candidates.

What if Tedford says that?

And Tedford might say, of course, talk to other people. I have some other offers to consider as well. NCAA. NFL.
..........

Re the Oilers, or any franchise that gets it wrong over and over ... Does it matter how many guys they talk to? Will they find a guy to coach those kids into contention?
...........

We will see the level of Tedford's interest. We will see the level of Buono's interest in Tedford. We will see if other candidates are brought in.

Once again, just IMO.