Buck Pierce Named Lions Head Coach

[Hambone]

We shall see if:

1. Will BC need to restructure the QB contract to have money for other needs?
If players were annoyed on how VA was handled when able to play, surely players know what's going to one guy as it means less for them.

While he'll make considerably more in total thanks to marketing money Rourke's cap money for 2025 will be $549.2K in 2025 and $609K in 2026. That would put him 3rd highest QB in hard cap money for 2025 behind Collaros and Kelly assuming their 2025 salaries are same as 2024. For 2026 Rourke would leap frog both to be $9K above Collaros' 2024 and presumably 2025 salary. Obviously the more he makes in 2025 the less for the rest but the same can be said for the impact Collaros and Kelly have on their clubs' salary structure.

2. When Buck was back in 2013, i Mike Benevides was HC so not likely any issues there?
I do believe this is not the same Mike B he was a HC. He's not had a Jason Maas type change but more mature.
Not a spectacular ST coach but hey even the Argos ST coach is fiery as those guys need to be?

I suspect zero issues between Buck & Bene. They were together for Buck's initial 5 years in BC and again for the final part of 2013 when BC dealt for him as QB insurance for Lulay who was again suffering shoulder injury problems. It's been over a decade since Bene's one and only HC gig. I think most coaches, regardless of sport, spend a great deal of time in self-reflection after being let go from their first gig. Mike had spent his entire coaching career prior to promotion to HC and while HC working under Buono. Since being fired he got to work under Jason Maas, Paul LaPolice, Bob Dyce (briefly) and Rick Campbell. Working with a varied group after Wally should have helped his growth and development as a coach.

3. I wonder if Buck is moving his family here? Or pulling a Maas who I read lives in Sherwood Park, Alberta. This can work these days for coaches but you lose the promotional chances unless you fly him in for things which is easy to do?

I'd think more likely than in previous years. Maas' situation is different. His wife works full time. His daughter is attending university or college in Edmonton and the son is about 13. They were kind of used to that as for quite a few years earlier in his career he left the family in Arizona. Buck's wife's health issues plus much younger family would have made it difficult to relocate the family. She likely would want to stay where her doctors were and he'd not want to be working elsewhere while she's undergoing chemo treatments etc. Supposedly her issues are in remission, kids are another year older and he will have a minimum 3 year commitment from BC.

4. Will Buck have an assistant or two he wants to bring in? Lots of spots here. Like to see Buck's team mate Kelly Bates stay on.


COACHING STAFF
Buck Pierce Head Coach
Jordan Maksymic Offensive Coordinator
Ryan Phillips Defensive Coordinator, Assistant Head Coach
Mike Benevides Special Teams Coordinator
Kelly Bates Offensive Line Coach
Jason Tucker Receivers Coach
Travis Brown Linebackers Coach
John Bowman Defensive Line Coach
Trysten Dyce Running Backs Coach
Tanya Henderson Defensive Assistant
Derek Oswalt Special Teams Assistant & Video Coordinator

Comparing to Winnipeg's current staff prior to Pierce moving:
Buck Pierce - OC - gone to BC
Jordan Younger - DC - 1st year as DC after 5 as DBC
Mike Miller - STC - first year coach after long playing career in WPG
Marty Costello - OLC - 9th year in WPG, 7th as OLC after 2 as Asst OLC
Kevin Bourgoin - RC - 7th year in WPG, 4th as RC after 3 as RBC
James Stanley - LBC - 7th year in WPG, he is also Director of Football Analytics
Darrell Patterson - DLC - 4th year as DLC in WPG, long collegiate career was also a BC intern back in 1991. Played for Bombers in mid 80s.
Jason Hogan - RBC - 3rd year as RBC in WPG after coaching stints with UofMontreal Carabins and Alouettes.
Richie Hall - Defensive Assistant - his lengthy coaching career needs no introduction

The only one that stands out to me is Costello.

5. Can the Lions stop practicing at Hjorth park as it's not optimum? Not sure if Binnie next to the Lions field is due to re-turf.

Can't comment on this as I have never been out to the Lions offices in about 15 years and that was just to get in on the locker room sale.

[WestCoastJoe]

https://www.bclions.com/2024/12/04/%F0% ... onference/

Buck and Ryan Rigmaiden at the PC.

Most of us long time fans know Buck's personality. Humble, yet confident and courageous. Soft spoken. Not a Vince Lombardi type. A dynamic player, but perhaps not a dynamic speaker. Buck is thoughtful and maybe even a bit hesitant before he answers a question or makes a statement. I heard Don Matthews as a public speaker. Not a rah rah type, but you got the very strong message. Wally Buono was not a motivational speaker type, and Buck probably comes across that way.

This fan does not think you need to be an award winning motivational speaker, a rah rah type, or even a slick salesman type, to be a great coach. What is more important is who you are, the relationships you build with your players and staff. Do they buy in? Do they buy in with your playbook? Your game planning? Your leadership?

I think Buck's people will buy in with him. That is key.

His credentials are all that you could hope for. Every HC has his first crack at it.

Wishing Buck all the best.

IMO.

[Hambone]

I wonder WCJ if Pierce is not unlike his now former boss Mike O'Shea? No idea what Mike is like in the room or in practices. However since he became Bombers HC he's always seemed incredibly even-keeled on the sidelines. He doesn't seem to get too high or too low regardless of situation. Seems to have a "matter of fact" type attitude in post-game press conferences. I don't think I ever recall him going on any sort of rants. If there was something he didn't like about a hit or call he'll simply state his case and move on.

[B.C.FAN]

Buck spoke well at the press conference. Media members tried to press him on assistant coaches but he didn't make any commitments. Ryan Rigmaiden, though, spoke highly of defensive coordinator Ryan Phillips, repeatedly calling him a "terrific coach" who relates well to his players. I don't like the prospect of OC Jordan Myksemic leaving and DC Ryan Phillips staying.

[WestCoastJoe]

I wonder WCJ if Pierce is not unlike his now former boss Mike O'Shea? No idea what Mike is like in the room or in practices. However since he became Bombers HC he's always seemed incredibly even-keeled on the sidelines. He doesn't seem to get too high or too low regardless of situation. Seems to have a "matter of fact" type attitude in post-game press conferences. I don't think I ever recall him going on any sort of rants. If there was something he didn't like about a hit or call he'll simply state his case and move on.

It is interesting, Hambone.

Good point with O'Shea. Not rah rah. Not a dynamic speaker. But his players buy in. He has a very strong sense of integrity. Rah rah works for some coaches, but it must be backed with clear, effective planning.

Rick Tocchet imo is actually a terrific speaker, in his rough hewn way, with the press, and no doubt individually and with his team as a group. Integrity, as with O'Shea.

Bill Belichick. Terrible with the press, until we see him having fun as a commentator. But his players bought in.

Speaking counts, but other stuff matters more, imo.

Two of my favorite ever coaches, Lombardi, and Bill Walsh were at opposite ends of the booming or quiet type of speaking, but they had conviction.

[Toppy Vann]

Wow. That was for me as a huge Buck Pierce fan since the day he arrived in BC in 2005, an emotional opening to watch but what Buck does in this media event is a study iin leadership.

His opening reference was not to the Bombers but the team he was part of under Wally and about the kind of team he intends to build.

[B.C.FAN]

Nathan Rourke says he’s disappointed to lose Jordan Maksymic but he’s excited to be able to work with Buck Pierce. He seems to be quite positive about the opportunity.

[Lion Guy]

Nathan Rourke says he’s disappointed to lose Jordan Maksymic but he’s excited to be able to work with Buck Pierce. He seems to be quite positive about the opportunity.

Where did Maksymic go?

Interesting thought I had, well at least it was to me; Buck's O faced off against Phillips' D for a couple of years. I wonder what he really thinks of Phillips' D now that he is HC. Guess we'll find out soon enough.

[Hambone]

Nathan Rourke says he’s disappointed to lose Jordan Maksymic but he’s excited to be able to work with Buck Pierce. He seems to be quite positive about the opportunity.

Where did Maksymic go?

Interesting thought I had, well at least it was to me; Buck's O faced off against Phillips' D for a couple of years. I wonder what he really thinks of Phillips' D now that he is HC. Guess we'll find out soon enough.

Maksymic hasn't officially gone anywhere yet but the writing is on the wall. His BC contract expires in 27 days. Both his home town EDM as well as WPG having already asked for, and presumably been granted, permission to talk to him. Both have HCs who are not from the offensive side of the ball. Can't see him sticking around with BC to be an OC in a reduced role when two other clubs are looking for an OC and possibly QBC with full play calling responsibilities.

[Lion Guy]

Nathan Rourke says he’s disappointed to lose Jordan Maksymic but he’s excited to be able to work with Buck Pierce. He seems to be quite positive about the opportunity.

Where did Maksymic go?

Interesting thought I had, well at least it was to me; Buck's O faced off against Phillips' D for a couple of years. I wonder what he really thinks of Phillips' D now that he is HC. Guess we'll find out soon enough.

Maksymic hasn't officially gone anywhere yet but the writing is on the wall. His BC contract expires in 27 days. Both his home town EDM as well as WPG having already asked for, and presumably been granted, permission to talk to him. Both have HCs who are not from the offensive side of the ball. Can't see him sticking around with BC to be an OC in a reduced role when two other clubs are looking for an OC and possibly QBC with full play calling responsibilities.

I see. So we are assuming Pierce is OC too?

[Hambone]

I see. So we are assuming Pierce is OC too?

Apparently he did say he'd do the playcalling which doesn't automatically mean he'll be OC. It does however indicate lesser OC responsibilities for Maksymic if he remained. I think he'd find EDM & WPG would be more attractive situations that he'd prefer over a lesser role in BC. He could well move on even if Pierce offered him the OC job.

One other observation re: Pierce and playcalling. For the last couple of years as OC he always worked from the booth. This season while WPG was struggling he moved down to the sidelines which of course is where he'd be as HC. He should be quite comfortable working as OC and playcaller while wearing the HC hat.

[B.C.FAN]

Buck said he’ll call the plays. Rourke said he’s disappointed to lose Maksymic but is looking forward to working in Buck’s offence. Edmonton and Winnipeg need offensive coordinators. The picture is pretty clear.

[PigSkin_53]

One Bomber name of note is OLC Marty Costello. He just finished his 7th season in that role with WPG with their OL being arguably the CFL's best for several years.

Agreed Hammy I think our offensive line is one, if not the most important areas we have to address and improve on in the off season. Having a seasoned OLC like Marty Costello would give our offensive line the wisdom and direction of seven seasons worth of successful coaching credibility at that spot. I hope Buck can pry him loose from Winnipeg if that is his intention, and works out well for both coaches concerned.

[Toppy Vann]

Wow, all the old Lion fans return here. Exciting day. Buckm WestCoatJoe, Pigskin -53

Buck didn't say he had any specific people in mind for his staff but he said he's going to find the best. Most of these guys take someone with them like say, Ritchie Hall.

I'm off to the gym now but I hope Nathan Rourke was positive on working with Buck.

The Squire Barnes cover of the unveiling of Buck focused on him as a tough player and QB.

Very disappointed Global didn't feature more of what he said he was going to do.

[TheLionKing]

Very disappointed Global didn't feature more of what he said he was going to do.

Not surprising. Global sports department (if you can even call them that) is a joke in recent years.