The Montreal Alouettes have their man, hiring former Edmonton Eskimos bench boss Tom Higgins to be the team’s new head coach. Higgins takes over the job from general manager Jim Popp, who was forced to coach the team last season after their awful start under coach Dan Hawkins in 2013 led to Hawkins’ firing.
Alouettes Name Tom Higgins New Head Coach
Unlike Hawkins, Higgins is a veteran of the CFL game, coaching the Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Eskimos from 2001-2007. In 2003 he led the Eskimos to the Grey Cup, defeating the Als in the Championship game. The 59-year-old Higgins is a former linebacker who played for the Stampeders, the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and the NFL’s Buffalo Bills. He has been the CFL’s director of officiating for the last five seasons. Higgins is a two-time CFL Coach of the year, once with the Eskimos in 2003 and again with the Stampeders in 2005. He is 72-53-1 in his CFL coaching career.
“I wanted to continue with the formula which has brought us the success we’ve enjoyed the past 17 years; having a full-time head coach and a full-time general manager to fill each of these positions,” owner Robert Wetenhall stated in an Alouettes press release. “The criteria we established for our next head coach was to find an individual familiar with the CFL; someone with success in that position and a background as a position coach. In addition, we sought an individual with a record for molding and delivering championship teams.”
Jim Popp will of course continue in his duties as general managers.
Higgins job will be much harder than previous Als head coaches, as for the first time in what seems like forever, the Montreal quarterback situation is unsettled after the retirement of Anthony Calvillo. However the Als believe that Higgins is the right man to work with their two young quarterbacks.
“Tom is highly respected throughout the CFL and across Canada,” said Mark Weightman, the Als’ president and chief executive officer. “He’s known as a great teacher and as someone who holds himself in the same high standards he does his players. His body of work as a player, head coach, GM and senior league official reflects his contribution to the CFL.
“Tom has worked with and tutored many of the CFL’s finest quarterbacks – Doug Flutie, Henry Burris and Ricky Ray to mention a few. His expertise will be invaluable in the development of Troy Smith and Tanner Marsh.”
The team has called a conference call for tomorrow to further discuss the move.
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