CFL NOTEBOOK: REINEBOLD LEAVING TICATS

HAMILTON – Special teams co-ordinator Jeff Reinebold is leaving the Hamilton Tiger-Cats after seven seasons with the CFL club.

Reinebold said Friday on Twitter that he has declined an opportunity to return to the Ticats in 2022.

“Every good thing comes to an end, and sadly my time in Hamilton is over,” he said.

Under Reinebold’s tutelage, kick returner Frankie Williams has become one of the most dangerous players on special teams in the CFL.

Williams won the 2019 John Agro Award as the league’s most outstanding special teams player and was a CFL all-star. He was second in the league with 459 return yards in 2021.

Reinebold’s coaching career in the CFL spans 17 seasons, including two years as head coach of Winnipeg from 1997-98.

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CALGARY – The Calgary Stampeders have re-signed American quarterback Jake Maier, who emerged as a dependable backup to Bo Levi Mitchell last season.

Maier played 11 games for the Stampeders during his rookie CFL season in 2021 and made three starts. He completed 95 of 148 passes (64.2-per cent) for 1,211 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.

He had three 300-yard passing games and was the first player in CFL history to crack the 300-yard milestone in each of his first three starts.

Maier also carried the ball 16 times for 31 yards and two touchdowns and made one catch for six yards.

Maier won his CFL debut in Week 3 in place on an injured Mitchell as Calgary beat Montreal 28-22.

He set a franchise record the following week by completing 17 consecutive passes in an 18-16 loss at Winnipeg.

Making his third start on the final week of the season, Maier he helped the Stampeders rally from a 12-point deficit with five minutes remaining for a 13-12 win over the Blue Bombers.

“Jake showed great promise during his rookie season and made a remarkably rapid adjustment to the Canadian game,” Stampeders president and general manager John Hufnagel said in a statement. “I look forward to seeing him continue his development next season.”

(Canadian Press)