MADANI: HALL POISED TO JOIN BOMBERS
By Arash Madani
Rogers Sportsnet/620 CKRM
A year ago, when he was first hired as Winnipeg’s head coach, Mike O’Shea looked to loyalists he’d previously worked with, and for, to run the Blue Bombers defense.
Now, it appears, O’Shea is going in a completely different direction.
Sportsnet has learned that the Blue Bombers are not only leaning toward hiring Richie Hall as their defensive coordinator, but that Hall and the organization are negotiating terms of a contract. O’Shea and Hall have little history, but Hall has plenty on his resume to succeed Gary Etcheverry in transforming the Winnipeg defence.
Hall was Saskatchewan’s defensive coordinator the past four years, including the 2013 Grey Cup season. He previously was Edmonton’s head coach for two seasons. Hall’s coaching career began in 1994, and has primarily been as an assistant, and coordinator, in Regina.
Prior to the 2014 season, O’Shea had spoken with two of his previous head coaches — Etcheverry and Rich Stubler — about the defensive coordinator job. Another ideal candidate, his good friend, Orlondo Steinauer, was, and remains, under contract with the Tiger-Cats, running Hamilton’s defence.
Stubler went to Calgary and his swarming unit was a big part of the Stampeders’ championship run in 2014.
The Blue Bombers were also in conversation with former BC Lions head coach Mike Benevides about the defensive coordinator job. Benevides, as Sportsnet first reported this week, has been offered the same role in Saskatchewan, to replace Hall.
The Amazing Madani!!
This guy in more connected than North Korea.
Rock on Brother Arash! Have a Happy New Year!
Good move by the Bombers. He may not be head coaching material but Richie deserves a chance to continue in a defensive coordinators position. I suspect either he will be more aggressive or this will be his last gig.
The Riders treated Richie bad, and I am not pleased with Chamblin. He will have to prove himself this year as my patience with him is quite thin after what he did to Mr. Hall.
Yeah right, ema, emu, ela or whatever. You're such a genius.
D Lingenfodder
Who cares whether you are pleased or not. A decision had to be made to better the team and Chamblin and Taman made it. Get over it! Richie wasn't fired, if he goes, it will be his choice
How was Hall treated badly by Chamblin? When the HC calls the plays in the playoff game the writing was on the wall before the fans knew it. There was no end of calls on this blog to get rid of him and when it happens there is a bunch oftears. Make up your mind people.
I like Hall and have been a supporter for years but this is a business and there are times in business when decisions have to be made. Time will tell if this was thr right one.
"The Riders treated Richie bad"
Its seems what is really thin is your knowledge of the sport my friend.
Its pro football man, get a grip. It was time for change. Be glad that our head coach is not happy with the third best record in 2014. Its all about building towards the next year and a championship. Richie has been around long enough to know how the cycle goes and no doubt looks forward to the next challenge.
"The Riders treated Richie bad"
You my friend must have a short memory.
In December of 2010 or January of 2011 the Riders did the same thing to Gary Etchevary, they demoted him so Richie could come back. This was after Etch's defense went to consecutive Grey Cup games.
I kind of chuckled at the same thing happening 4 years later, with the shoe on the other foot.
Well if it ain't ole Chucklehead Chuckled. How you doin,?
Sure beats Etch on Def there .
This boo hoo crowd is always on here after a football decision is made that they don't like. I recall some of this same stuff when Roy and Danny were let go. Some seem to think you should have the right to a lifetime job with the Riders. Some seem to forget that Richie's defence this year was rated 8 out of 9 in the League. Please don't say it was because of the poor offence. Everybody's rants about how well they played in the WSF game. Chamblin called that game people! Etch was fired after two GC appearances so… Read more »
Defense 8 out of 9 and the HC calling the plays in the last game… yeah really treated badly… Great move by Chamblin.. No fooling around….
Hopefully, with Richie gone that ends the undersized DBs and invisible linebackers.
Richie is a great guy and would be the first to admit that change is good for everyone. I wish the guy well, he is a Rider forever in my mind.