There are rumblings from the south. Former Montreal Alouettes head coach Mark Trestman could be fired as soon as mid-season from the head coaching position he currently occupies with the NFL’s Chicago Bears. The team’s inability to find the intensity to compete in their division and conference has been cited by many league insiders as a reason.
The same consequences could befall two or three coaches north of the 49th parallel, here in the CFL. Which of the CFL coaches should be worried? Here are the leading candidates.
Mike Benevides
His B.C. Lions had a very clear goal at the start of the this season, one that would see the Lions hosting, and hoisting, the 2014 Grey Cup for the second time in just four years. In preseason chatter, and in Las Vegas, onlookers all but assured B.C. a home playoff date leading up to the Grey Cup game, or as it’s been marketed, the “Roar on the Shore”.
When they last hosted in 2011, the Lions staged an unlikely come back from an awful start to the season to appear in and win the Grey Cup. That was Wally Buono’s team, but he has subsequently moved on to the general manager’s role exclusively, leaving Benevides in control. Those were big shoes to fill, and it has been a stressful start to Mike’s head coaching career with just minor successes so far.
Key injuries on offense to QB Travis Lulay, RBs Andrew Harris and Ian Logan, and WR Manny Arceneaux have shielded Benevides from much critique thus far, but for how long? QB Kevin Glenn, RB Keola Antolin, and WR Ernest Jackson have been serviceable replacements. However, on the whole the Lions’ offense has been criticized by outsiders and fans alike.
The bright spot in BC has been the defence. Coordinator Mark Washington’s group has been very stingy in a record-setting season. If Benevides’s team can’t capitalize on the opportunity to win at home again it should be considered a failure. Changes from within seem like the best his replacement.
Mike O’Shea
The goals were modest. Eclipse 2013.
It might seem like I am picking on the Michaels here but I assure you it’s just coincidence.
Coach O’Shea’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers were very good through the first third of 2014. Maybe too good – the CFL regular season is a marathon, not a sprint.
The Bombers flew out to a 5-1 record. Their fans flocked to the new home, Investors Group Field, to watch a display that led them to forget about the dreadful 2013 showing. It set a precedent and new expectations were born in the Manitoba capital.
In the middle six games of the season, the Bombers failed three times to beat their new (or old) divisional rivals, the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The three demoralizing losses seem to have had an effect on coach O’Shea’s rookie head-coaching effort into the final third of the season as well.
At this stage of the season their record is barely more respectable than the expansion, yes expansion, Ottawa Redblacks. Both have been ousted from playoff contention.
Let’s revisit 2013 for a second in Winnipeg, because the fans are mad again. Both general manager Joe Mack and head coach Tim Burke were ushered out of town by the very vocal fan base and influential media. Now Mike O’Shea is under that same gun with a home Grey Cup on the horizon in Banjoland. Winnipeg fans are now wondering whether Khari Jones would be suitable and do a good job with young QB Drew Willy in 2015?
John Hufnagel
This one is simple. Huff, as he is known, has dominated the CFL regular season in all but one of his six seasons as head coach of the Calgary Stampeders. He is a great coach and you’d be hard-pressed to find someone that would challenge that.
He does, however, need to produce results. He has a recent propensity for playoff agony and another November breakdown could result in a change for Hufnagel.
Another question one must ask is how long can Dave Dickenson wait in line as Hufnagel’s offensive coordinator? I don’t think Calgary wants Dave to move outside that organization. It’s now Dave’s turn.
All three of these coaches must start pondering their priorities and the possibilities that come along with being a professional coach in the CFL. It’s time for these three to worry – and quite possibly others not discussed.
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