THEN THERE WERE THREE: Die among finalists for Redblacks head coach job

walterpalladDecember 1, 2022

Interim coach Bob Dyce is on the shortlist to take over the head coaching job at the Redblacks. Photo by Errol McGihon /post media

The Ottawa Redblacks have narrowed their list of candidates to three in their search for a new head coach.

As first reported by TSN’s Farhan Lalji, Postmedia has confirmed that Bob Dyce, Mark Washington and Corey Mace are three finalists for the job. A decision is likely to be made this weekend, with all three being praised for being high characters.

The Redblacks have waived Paul Lapolis with four games left in the 2022 CFL season. Dice, who was named interim head coach, went 1-3 in his final regular-season game (the Redblacks defeated the Als 24-18, lost 34-30 to Montreal, and lost 30-27 to the Tiger-Cats). and lost 23-16). .

The Winnipeg native, who turns 57 on Saturday, has long been a respected CFL coach. He was a receiver at the University of Manitoba and then a receiver coach for the Bisons before joining the Blue Bombers as his receiver coach from 2003 to 2009. He joined the Roughriders in 2010 when he joined Saskatchewan and held several roles, including offensive coordinator in 2012. 0-9). When Chris Jones took over as the Riders’ head coach following the 2015 season, Dice did not return and joined the Redblacks as special teams coordinator in 2016, a position he has held ever since. .

Dice won the Gray Cup with the Roughriders in 2013 and the Redblacks in 2016.

Shortly after Dice was named the team’s interim coach, Redblacks linebacker Avery Williams was asked about playing for him.

“He’s one of those guys who runs a 40-yard dash in a 30-yard room,” Williams said. “He said in a speech one day, ‘I don’t want to play with people who eat from dishes.’ I want to play with people who eat with their hands.” get you excited

The 49-year-old Washington, DC native is another longtime CFL coach with results and a lot of respect from across the league. Washington was promoted to head coach earlier this year after serving as his coordinator defensively since 2019. Gray Cup Champion (2002, 2006, 2011). Washington’s defense in Hamilton has been one of the best in the league, especially in 2019 (he allowed his 344 points, a league-low) and in 2021, when the Ticats went back-to-back Grays to his Cup appearances. It was from Prior to that, he spent six seasons as the BC Lions defensive he coached the Bucks, followed by five defensive seasons as a coordinator. Washington won his CFLPA’s Tom Pate Award in 2006 for his outstanding sportsmanship in addition to his significant contributions to his team and community. Washington attended Rutgers University and graduated with a degree in industrial engineering.

Mace is a coaching ranks skyrocketer with some glowing words. He was named the Toronto Argonauts’ defensive coordinator in January after spending 12 years with the Stampeders.

Mace was selected in the second round of the CFL Draft in 2007 by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers after the NCAA stopped at Polomar College and the University of Wyoming. He signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent. He spent his three years with the Bills, but the CFL rights were traded across his three seasons in Hamilton, Toronto, and Calgary. Mace signed with the Stampeders in 2010 and played 40 games in the CFL. He retired after missing the 2015 season through injury and joined Calgary as a defensive line coach. Under Mace, the Stampeders led his CFL in sacks for his three consecutive seasons in the 2016-18 season. He will soon be 37 and has won three Gray Cups. 2014 as a player, 2018 (where Calgary beat Ottawa he 27-16) and him in 2022 (where Toronto beat Winnipeg 24-23). His Mace from Port Moody BC Received the President’s Ring Award for his contributions on and off the field at Calgary in 2014.

Other names on Ottawa’s interview list: Stampeders assistant head coach/special teams coordinator Mark Killam, QB coach Mark Muller, defensive coordinator Brent Monson, and former Alouette head coach Cali Jones. Lalji reported that the Blue Bombers offensive coordinator turned down Buck Pierce’s chance to be interviewed.

Alouettes is also looking for a head coach. Danny Maciocia, who replaced Jones early last season, said he would return to being just a general manager.

The Redblacks went 6-22 over two seasons under Lapolis, who was also their offensive coordinator. He was hired ahead of the canceled 2020 CFL season. LaPolice was sacked after his 3-11 start last season. Under Lapolis, the Redblacks have won 3 and lost 11 in his 2021 season of 14 games.

With a head coach in place, the Redblacks will immediately try to fill the coordinator position. One or two of the candidates they interviewed as head coaches may still join the Redblacks. In particular, they are looking to address the offensive coordinator position, with Muller and Jones being two of his possible names floating around.