One of the things that I’ve done since breaking into the CFL media is stress the importance of breaking the CFL season into thirds. Unlike the Trestman Theory (*A CFL game consists of a 57min battle plus an additional 3min mini-game) that I consistently talk about during our broadcasts, we only mention breaking the season into thirds when we try and map out what the Saskatchewan Roughriders journey may look like from year to year. It’s nothing new. I remember sitting around on days off with former teammates and using the process to draw scenarios that would ultimately have us finishing the year with a Grey Cup appearance.
All that to say, now that the Riders are closing out their first six games of the season, one can’t help but look at the standings and smile. Things could definitely be worse in Ridernation at the moment. But keep in mind- #ItsAmarathonNotAsprint
With a second glance at the standings, you’ll make note of my thoughts for todays Primer, and although it’s not one of those, “keys to victory,” pieces- you’ll be able to draw a direct line to one of the reasons why I feel the Saskatchewan Roughriders have experienced such a physical and cultural turnaround early into 2024.
Coaching Matters. It’s obviously important at every level and for every sport but for the under-funded and under-resourced Canadian Football League- coaching makes all the difference.
As far as personal narratives that I use as a foundation for talkin ball with all of you, the importance of coaching is near the top. But lately my view on the relation between tenure and it’s correlation to success, is really beginning to pivot. At the beginning of this year, two of the CFLs proudest franchises were led by two of the strongest coaches this league has seen, but walking into this week, the Edmonton Elk and the Hamilton TiCats are at the bottom of their divisions, and winless. Hell, one of the teams just fired their guy.
Scott Milanovich and Chris Jones have over 50 years of high-level coaching experience between the two of them. Both have been the CFL’s Coach of the Year, and there’s six Grey Cup Rings on their mantles at home. Check their resumes for yourself. There’s so much depth to their journeys. Rumour has it that Scott Milanovich was the immediate front-runner in Saskatchewan when the job became available at the end of 2023. I remember going on The all-new Sportscage and fawning over what a huge win that would be for the Riders. #DodgedThatBullet
Chris Jones looked like he had the Green and White primed to win the Grey Cup at the conclusion of 2018 right before he finally took his shot at the NFL. Since his return to Canada, the term “moderately successful” would be an exaggeration when talking about his return to the helm in Edmonton.
So, what gives? How are two of the most tenured and respected coaches in the CFL winless and/or unemployed? One of the most important lessons I’ve learned (thanks to guys that have given their lives to the game like Coach Gary Etcheverry) is how critical coaching experience is- especially in the CFL where you’ll hear stakeholders constantly joke that the CFL acronym actually stands for, “Cash Flow Low.”
We need coaches with the type of experience that Scott Milanovich has. We need to find a way to attract coaches that have an eye/network for talent like Chris Jones…so what’s with the abysmal showing to this point??? And while we’re on it…how come Rick Campbell is the only Coach that seems to support the “Tenure Theory” at the moment?
This is where it all circles back. Head Coach Corey Mace has really started to make sense of it all for me. As a first year Head Coach, he exemplifies the type of “fast-track” that former CFLers can sometimes get on when the right opportunity presents itself and that opportunity is capitalized on. But Coach Mace isn’t some lucky guy that’s schemed a few good defenses and has been part of a winning staff. Coach Mace is a phenomenal example of where I think the real “magic” in coaching is these days. Coach Mace is humble enough and exemplifies the willingness to navigate THIS generation of professional athlete. The ability to get guys to buy into a winning formula is much more difficult in todays like-button-driven culture.
Even the most experienced coaches today must recognize that the business has changed. The best coaches can find the balance between demanding performance and accommodating todays “empowered” athlete. I’ll never forget my first Cart Conversation (on riderville.com) with Coach Mace because I asked him how todays coaches get through to todays player. Coach simply said something to the affect of, ‘nothing great happens without the players and we’ve got to do a good job helping them understand why what we’re asking them to do is important.”
Compared to the “this is the way that we do things” mentality that exists in some of the more tenured coaches, one must think that guys like Dinwiddie, Mace, Phillips (who’s got next), and Maas are part of the new generation. Kudos to the more tenured guys like Rick Campbell who have continuously tinkered with their own game to stay ahead of the curve. Evolve or die (metaphorically), I guess.
There’s a changing of the guard that’s been happening when it comes to coaching. The nice thing about it is that the formula for winning championships hasn’t changed. One still needs guys to be selfless and make sacrifices that prioritize team, but the younger coaches seem to understand the balance somewhere in there because the buy-in spreads seamlessly when it happens.
So Friday’s game is a big one and not because the Bummers have a ton of momentum and the Riders are looking to bounce back in their siiiick new obsidian uniforms. This game also features Mike O’shea who Winnipeg was very patient with, and Corey Mace. Two guys who are a fantastic example of being able to navigate what it takes to succeed and what is required from the athletes in the room.
Coaching Matters. Cheers to the fellas going 1-0 this week. #ObsidianAF
