In 2019, the Ottawa Redblacks were faced by a season they’d never see coming. After going 11-7 the previous season, and starting 2-0, they were shot in the foot. Following their wins over both Calgary and Saskatchewan, the Redblacks won just one more game in the duration of the season. During the time Campbell spent as the Redblacks HC, Campbell made it to the Grey Cup three times and after failing to make the playoffs for the second time with the Redblacks, he parted ways with the franchise and later signed a HC job with the B.C Lions. The Redblacks, who have been in their offseason for a month now are in the search for a new head coach going into 2020.
Head Coaching job stays wide open
Over the past weeks, Marcel Desjardins has found himself a part of many head coaching interviews. To begin the process, it looked as if Tommy Condell, the long time offensive co-ordinator would land the job, although later in the process he decided to remain in Hamilton. Following Condell’s decision, the Redblacks have had interviews with Mark Washington, Mark Kilam, Mike Benevides, Steve McAdoo, Paul LaPolice and the Ottawa Redblacks special teams co-ordinator Bob Dyce.
Among the big list of possible coaches is Paul LaPolice who is favored by many. LaPolice has found himself speaking with Desjardins about this spot multiple time since Campbell left Ottawa, and Today’s interview may have sealed a possible hiring.
In the tweet found above, TSN analyst Farhan Lalji reports that LaPolice’s interview may be the last one along with Mike Benevides interview that took place yesterday.
Both Benevides and LaPolice have a lot of coaching experience behind them and would be great placements in Ottawa. LaPolice, who won the Grey Cup as the Offensive Co-ordinator in Winnipeg has 3 seasons of head coaching experience in which he took place in 2011’s Grey Cup where he lost to Benevides’ Lions. Although Benevides was just a defensive coach at the time, he had the opportuity to coach for both B.C and Edmonton where he combined for a 33-21 head coaching record. Along with his winning percentage, Benevides also racked up 3 Grey Cups during his coaching career. Since his last stint with the Edmonton Eskimos, Benevides has taken a spot on the CFL on TSN panel.
Offensive Co-ordinator who?
The two experienced coaches may seem like the best fit at a head coaching position here in Ottawa, although how about the Redblacks’ open spot for the offensive co-ordinator? In the 2019 season, the Redblacks played all 18 games without an OC and after going 3-15, it looks to be a priority in the 2020 off-season. Without a contact in the 2020 season is Calgary Stampeders Quarterbacks Coach Ryan Dinwiddie. Many see Dinwiddie as a possible head coach here in Ottawa, although he has experience as just a quarterbacks coach from 2015 all the way to now. With his resume lacking some experience, a head coaching ob may be a little too much for him, although the Redblacks Offensive Co-ordinator job would be a perfect fit for Dinwiddie. Dinwiddie has been the QB coach of Bo Levi Mitchell and Nick Arbuckle who have a combined 64-21-2 record with Dinwiddie on the staff.
Among the two quarterbacks, Arbuckle who started 7 of 18 games this past season will be a free agent and if Dinwiddie comes to Ottawa for either the head coaching or offensive job Arbuckle would be a great fit at the quarterback position.
Redblacks to the NFL?
Arbuckle may be a good fit for the next season, but how about the group we had last year? Many of the guys who took place on last years roster look to follow in Diontae Spencer’s footsteps into the NFL.
In the two tweets above, Tim Baines announced that both Redblacks kickers, Richie Leone and Lewis Ward will have a NFL workout with the Cininati Bengals and Kevin Brown announces that he will have a tryout with the NFL’s Chicago Bears this coming Monday.
JZ MEDIA 