CFL NOTEBOOK
OTTAWA – The Ottawa REDBLACKS announced Monday that veteran CFL coach Tommy Condell has been named the club’s offensive coordinator.
Condell, 52, has helped lead his teams to five Grey Cup appearances in the last decade and brings a wealth of CFL and collegiate experience to the REDBLACKS. Most recently, Condell spent four years as Offensive Coordinator for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, a position he held since he was promoted to the role in 2019 until the end of the 2023 campaign. In his first year as OC with the Tabbies, the team went 15-3 and reached the 107th Grey Cup. He added Quarterback Coach to his duties the following season.
“Throughout the process of getting to know Bob Dyce, time spent exchanging values and beliefs of all things related to football and beyond, made this the ideal situation for myself and family,” said Condell. “The commitment that is tangibly shown in all areas by the Ottawa REDBLACKS and OSEG to bringing another Grey Cup championship to this great city was evident early on.”
WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has agreed to terms with defensive end Willie Jefferson on a one-year extension. Jefferson was scheduled to become a free agent in February.
Jefferson (6-7, 242, Stephen F. Austin; born: January 31, 1991, in Beaumont, TX) returns in 2024 for his fifth season with the Blue Bombers and 10th in the Canadian Football League, including his days with Edmonton (2014-15) and Saskatchewan (2016-18).
Named a CFL All-Star for the fifth time in his career in 2023, Jefferson was also selected as the Blue Bombers’ Most Outstanding Defensive Player for a third time after posting a team-leading 11 quarterback sacks, three forced fumbles – tied for second in the CFL – and 13 pass knockdowns (most in the league), and 21 defensive tackles.
In 2022, Jefferson became the first player in CFL history to record 50 career sacks and 50 pass knockdowns and his 37 career sacks ties him for ninth on the Blue Bombers all-time list.
Jefferson was also named the 2022 recipient of the Ed Kotowich ‘Good Guy Award’ which recognizes a Blue Bombers player who has ‘excellent football ability, is a leader in the locker room and shows outstanding effort in the community.’
(RedBlacks/Blue Bombers Communications)