John Hufnagel or Chris Jones for Coach/GM?
So as we adjust to winter, it only makes sense that with two weeks left in the season the Saskatchewan Roughriders are threatening to upstage the CFL playoffs with a couple of interesting developments in their search for a general manager and/or a head coach.
John Hufnagel gave an interview in Calgary that was interesting in what was not said as opposed to what was being said. Hufnagel said he was “interested” in visiting Regina and amidst news that Hufnagel is not happy with the treatment of the Stampeders at the hands of Calgary Flames owner Ken King, it would not be surprising to see the Riders get permission to talk to Hufnagel after the Stampeders season is over.
Hufnagel is being eased out as coach to Dave Dickenson because the Flames/Stampeders don’t want to lose Dickenson. They are worried about losing John Murphy, their player personnel guy who is probably cheaper than Hufnagel but other than a disastrous stint in Winnipeg, seems able to identify talent. However he is not necessarily proficient at the other things involved with being a GM like managing a salary cap. The Flames/Stampeders probably don’t want to lose Murphy so they have an incentive to let Hufnagel explore other possibilities, but there is the public perception of us stubble jumpers getting the jump on the big wonder Calgary sports world where everyone wants to go to and no one wants to leave.
Screw them. The Riders have the money and if they bring in Hufnagel, they can still retain Jeremy O’Day who can learn from a GM who knows what he is doing and be ready to replace Hufnagel when he decides he is finally finished coaching and general managing a team.