Following Campbell’s signing with the B.C Lions earlier this week, the Ottawa Redblacks and Paul LaPolice have agreed on a deal which would make him the next head coach in Ottawa.
Paul LaPolice, the offensive co-ordinator of the Winnipeg Blue-Bombers, and the coach who used 3 quarterbacks in the 2019 season to get to the Grey Cup. After winning the big game, the Redblacks and Blue Bombers came in touch about interviewing LaPolice. A interview may come up in the coming days. As a Redblacks fan, you may ask why we’d want him to take the spot as the HC here in Ottawa, well he’s experienced as a HC and he can bring championship level talent with him to Ottawa. Before bringing the 2019 Bombers to the Grey Cup, LaPolice was the head coach of the Bombers from 2010-2012 and has been a offensie co-ordinator for them since.
Going into free agency, LaPolice has the opportunity to help Marcel Desjardins bring championship talent to the nations capital. After bringing a CFL offense to the 2019 Grey Cup, there are many of his former players on the open market. With the quarterback position being a need for the Redblacks going into the season, all eyes are on Chris Streveler this offseason. LaPolice has worked with Streveler for the past two seasons and has brought a big light to the pass/run options in the CFL. With Dominique Davis and William Arndt the only QBs under contract for 2020, Streveler can be a great fit into the offense.
Found below is the list of Winnipeg Blue Bombers free agents going into free agency, so you Redblacks fans can use your imagination and build next years team with LaPolice.
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.
Being told that Mike Benevides interviewed for the #RedBlacks head coach job yesterday. Was 33-21 in his last stint as a head coach with a revolving door at QB. Paul LaPolice is interviewing in Ottawa today, believed to be the last interview. Six names still in the mix @CFLonTSNpic.twitter.com/YWcobyf5Ha
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.
Sounds like there's plenty of #NFL interest in #Redblacks K Lewis Ward, who does not currently have a #CFL contract for next season. He could get multiple NFL workouts.
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.
As a result to the 2019 CFL season, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers beat out the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 32-10 in the 107th Grey Cup played in Calgary. Even-though the Redblacks were not in the game, Redblacks fans were clueing in on what we can see if future games here in Ottawa.
Coaching in the Grey Cup was Paul LaPolice, the offensive co-ordinator of the Winnipeg Blue-Bombers, and the coach who used 3 quarterbacks in the 2019 season to get to the Grey Cup. After winning the big game, the Redblacks and Blue Bombers came in touch about interviewing LaPolice. A interview may come up in the coming days. As a Redblacks fan, you may ask why we’d want him to take Campbell’s spot as the HC here in Ottawa, well he’s experienced as a HC and he can bring championship level talent with him to Ottawa.
Going into free agency, LaPolice’s own quarterback Chris Streveler looks to be on the market along with his veteran backup, Matt Nichols. The two came up behind Callaros on the depth chart to finish the season, and they will look for a starting job else where for the 2020 season. With the struggles of both Davis and Jennings here in Ottawa this past season, it is sure that we need more talent at the quarterback position and these duos can look great here in Ottawa.
To pair with the two candidates from Calgary, former Redblacks OC is now on the market after being fired from his HC job in Edmonton. Don’t be surprised if he comes back to Ottawa.
After a promising 2-0 start to the 2019 CFL season, the Ottawa Redblacks went on to win just one more game that season which left them finishing 3-15 and at the bottom of the league. After taking part in 3 of the past 5 Grey Cups, the Redblacks and the city of Ottawa wasn’t sure how to take the disappointing season, although what would happen after the season would hit differently.
In the six seasons that the Redblacks have played, they’ve been coached by Rick Campbell, but after a 15 loss season, Campbell lost feelings with his coaching city. Rick Campbell and the Ottawa Redblacks decided to part ways following the 2019 season and the two will be in the looking for a replacement. Campbell is off looking around for a head coaching job, while the Ottawa Redblacks will search for a new head coach.
Following a great coaching career spent in Ottawa, it will be hard for the two to overcome what had happened this season, although if each of them come to the off-season with a positive mindset, they both will have a solid 2020 CFL season.
One year ago, the Redblacks were prepping themselves for the 106th Grey Cup where they would face-off against the Calgary Stampeders, fast forward one year, the Redblacks are trying to find their identity. The 2019 season hit pretty hard for Redblacks fans, although once you take a look at the games played it is clear that the Redblacks have a successful group to deal with, they just need a coach to cap it off for 2020.
Now to look forward to what could be next, here is a list of a few coaches with capability of filling Campbell’s spot for the Redblacks,
Tommy Condell
Although Condell does not have any experience of being a CFL head coach, Tommy Condell’s coaching resume is 20 years long which splits between his time in both the CFL and NCAA.
In the last year of Condell’s contract as the offensive character with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, he brought a young QB in Dave Evans to the Grey Cup with a 15-3 regular season record.
In the 2019/2020 free agency period, Hamilton will have both Condell and Jeremiah Masoli on the market, and due to the success of Condell’s offense he will look forward to accepting a head coaching job which the Ottawa Redblacks have. Along with Condell’s success, the Tiger-Cats were brought to the Grey Cup by backup quarterback, Dane Evans which would give former starting quarterback Jeremiah Masoli a chance at another starting job which the Redblacks may have depending on what happens between both Jonathon Jennings and Dominique Davis this offseason.
This offseason, it is possible that the Redblacks can get their hands on both Condell and Masoli, which could turn around the 3-15 season they had last year.
Paul LaPolice
To pair with Tommy Condell’s grey cup path taken with Dane Evans, Paul LaPolice took a similar path to this year’s Grey Cup with Chris Streveler, Matt Nichols, and Zack Callaros, although it took a long time for Winnipeg’s Offensive Co-ordination to take credit for a great season.
LaPolice, one of the greatest offensive minds in the CFL is in his 17th season as a CFL coach, and is ready to take the leap as a head coach once again. In 2010, LaPolice started a role as the head coach for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and in 2011 he took them to the Grey Cup. Unfortunately for the futures of his career, the Blue Bombers didn’t have much success the next season, therefore LaPolice’s career left him as the Blue Bombers offensive coordinator for the following 4 seasons.
Through those 4 seasons, LaPolice brought the Bombers offense to the Grey Cup playoffs in all 4 seasons, and with the Bombers juggling three different quarterbacks, like the Tiger-Cats, LaPolice may come in a dual package with either Chris Streveler or Matt Nichols.
Midway through the 2016 season, on August 3rd the Ottawa Redblacks signed both Serderius Bryant and Nicholas Taylor. The two defensive standouts had great careers in Ottawa, but what it took for Bryant to get to Ottawa was unreal.
Serderius Bryant, the 5’8 210 lb linebacker spent his early days in Sanford, Florida. In Sanford, Bryant didn’t see his father until later in his childhood therefore was raised by his mom, Shonda Bryant. Sanford also wasn’t the safest place for a child, with the crime rate among the highest in the USA there wasn’t great odds to be able to stay out of trouble.
In an interview with Bryant he stated, “My support system and the people around me helped keep me motivated, but in real talk it was the obstacles I went through that really made me stronger and made me push my way through the hard times.”
Although the odds weren’t great for Bryant, he was aware of his surroundings and he made a way out of Sanford. In high-school, Serderius found himself playing all sports displayed to him and he made great light of it.
Although he played multiple sports throughout his high-school days, he excelled highly at the sport of football. Even though Bryant stood at just 5’8, he played hard and fast at the linebacker position, and he turned enough heads to receive multiple NCAA offers. At Seminole Secondary School in Sanford, Serderius was among both Ray Ray Armstrong and Kadeem Edwards going to the NCAA for football. Serderius Bryant signed with and played with the University of Mississippi, where he played linebacker from his Freshman season all the way to his senior season.
In an interview with Bryant, I asked what it was like to play college ball even after the tough times he went through and he later said, “It was a blessing, to actually pull through and play there was awesome. As a kid, I talked up a storm about how I’d do it, but going through it and winning a few championships was a big deal for me. The team we had at Ole Miss was awesome, it was a big family and after beating Alabama, it was as if we won the title.”
At Ole Miss, Bryant played over 48 games, and in the final two seasons he came to play. In both his Junior and Senior season he combined for 143 tackles (20.5 for loss) along with 3 forced fumbles, 3 sacks, 2 pass deflections and one interception.
The numbers he finished his college career with were just enough to get some professional teams on board with Bryant’s story and his future. After going drafted in 2015, the Dallas Cowboys wanted to see Bryant’s potential and later offered him a try out. Unfortunately for his potential NFL career, he was also offered a full contract with the Hamilton Tiger Cats in the CFL.
With the decision between a full contract and a try out, Bryant took the contract with the Tiger-Cats where he would play the 2015 pre-season.
In the pre-season, he dealt with minimal playing time, unable to show the CFL exactly what he has to offer, but he was still able to put up decent numbers. Even though he put up decent numbers, the small amount of playing time left him going back to Sanford. Serderius Bryant had been cut from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and did not receive another contract offer until 2016 where the Ottawa Redblacks were looking for defensive help.
After spending a full month on the Redblacks practice roster to learn the playbook and Canadian rules, Bryant played his first CFL regular season game on September 23rd when the Redblacks hosted the Toronto Argonauts.
In his first game played, Bryant pulled through with one defensive tackle. After getting just one tackle in his first game, Bryant was getting the Redblacks defense prepped for the playoffs, as he finished the 2016 regular season with 18 tackles and a fumble recovery in just 6 games played.
Finishing the season with 18 tackles, Bryant and the Redblacks made there way to the East-Final where they matched up against the Edmonton Eskimos who crossed over to the East in 2016. In the East Final, Bryant and the Redblacks defense held the Eskimos to just 23 points, and the Redblacks were headed to the 2016 Grey Cup.
Going into the Grey Cup, the Redblacks were the obvious underdog. The team being 8-9-1 playing against the 15-2-1 Calgary Stampeders. The game on November 27th 2016 was something special for Bryant, and many other players although Bryant already had won a championship in both high-school and university, with a win in the Grey Cup, he would add a professional championship to his name too.
Making a small but effective impact to the Redblacks Grey Cup win, was Serderius Bryant. He got just 2 tackles, but recovered a fumble in the 2nd quarter which gave momentum to the Ottawa offense which ended up scoring a touchdown off the turnover.
In the talk I had with Bryant, I got him to walk me through that play, “It was just one of those plays, I wasn’t running at full speed and I was caught slacking a little bit, but when Jake Harty came running, I pretty much came running too, cause I knew he was going to make a play, and I was just there at the right time. It was a great time too, as I had a great celebration, it was a great experience to have that happen.”
Making enough of an impact in the game, the Redblacks went on to beat the Stampeders 39-33 in overtime.
As a player who likes to talk game on the field, Bryant explained, “Bo Levi was by far the easiest player to chirp. When we played the Grey Cup, Bo Levi was the best player in the league, and he never threw more than two interceptions in one game and then he met me. I was talking to him throughout the whole game, and I believe it really made a difference. As a quarterback who never threw more than 2 interceptions in one game and go on to throw three in the biggest game of his career, you know there was something wrong with him, and it was the bird on the field chirping into his head.”
Coming back after the big Grey Cup championship, Bryant was groomed into a starting job in 2017 for the Redblacks and in the starting position for the majority of the games, he was able to tackle over 56 players, along with forcing 2 turnovers.
Unfortunately, the Redblacks were knocked out of the playoffs after just the first round, although in the game, Bryant had 3 tackles to pair with a fumble recovery.
After a mediocre season in Ottawa, Bryant went on to be unsigned as a CFL free agent and would later find his life after football.
Even though he would go unsigned by the Redblacks, Bryant later talks highly about the Redblacks fan base and the city itself, “The fans in Ottawa are the best. I played for two teams in the CFL both Hamilton and Ottawa, and Ottawa’s fans take the win by a long mile. It’s more a family oriented fan base, the team was a big team and the fans were a part of the team. Even when I walked around the city you felt that way too, everyone was so nice and when you seen a fan, they were so genuine about everything and it really felt like a winning city.”
Ottawa REDBLACKS Grey Cup Parade
November 29, 2016
PHOTO: Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photography
Before being unsigned and out of football, Bryant had a lot of experiences within the time played in both the NCAA and CFL where he can reflect on, and in the interview I had with him I asked who the best offensive lineman he had to go up against in his career, “I played against a lot of big guys in my career, but Joel ‘Big Fig’ Figueroa was one of the best! When we played against him at Miami, I knew he was a great athlete but going up against him one on one, he is one of the most powerful players I went up against, his drive to protect his QB is something else and one of the best things about him is he talks a little big of trash back, so the matchups were fun too.” (Joel Figueroa now plays for the B.C Lions)
Tune in tonight at 10:30 on CH.13 spectrum sports 360 segments, as I'm on my road for a powerful change in the sports world, you don't want to miss it!!!!! CBD and cannabis have helped me out strongly during my football career.#MMJ4ATHLETES@SpecSports360pic.twitter.com/mj51xDQMni
After one season unsigned, Bryant started helping younger athletes succeed as a personal trainer in his hometown of Sanford, and with that already started up, he also is about to start up his own CBD selling brand named Burd’s CBD.
I asked Bryant if the dream has left and been out the window, but he said back “The dream will never be done, I’ll always be in shape and ready to play football, we just have to wait on it to happen.”
Bryant working on his craft, getting ready for his next opportunity
The Redblacks season may have ended on November 1st after the last regular season game against Montreal, but as Redblacks fans the season should never end.
Throughout the calendar year, there are so many things to keep tabs on as football fans, and for Redblacks fans, we’ve been extra busy keeping tabs on the team’s news. The Redblacks season is finished, but we still have some former Redblacks players playing in the playoffs or even the NFL, and to pair with former Redblacks, there’s also so many future Redblacks players playing U Sports or NCAA football, so in conclusion to this point, there’s so much you can be doing this off-season related to Redblacks football.
In this year’s CFL playoffs, the Redblacks aren’t in it, but there are many players and coaches associated with the Redblacks in the hunt.
Going into the CFL Final round of the playoffs, the matchups contain of Winnipeg vs Saskatchewan (West Final) and Hamilton vs Edmonton (East Final).
In the two games being played this coming Sunday, a total of 21 former Redblacks will either take the field or stand among the sidelines.
As Redblacks fans, you cheered for them in Red and Black, so now that the Redblacks season is no longer, you can cheer for the 21 former Redblacks this Sunday.
NFL Football
Most of CFL fans in Ottawa didn’t really have a CFL team until the Redblacks came back to Ottawa, and in that time all you had was NFL football to watch.
Now with the Redblacks in town, you can have a reason to watch NFL football. There are former Redblacks in the NFL!!!
As of the last NFL season, Brett Maher, the former Redblacks kicker made a name for himself when he beat out pro bowl kicker Dan Bailey for the Dallas Cowboys kicking job.
Along with Maher playing ball in Dallas, Diontae Spencer the former receiver/returner for the Redblacks is now a kickoff and punt returner for the Denver Broncos.
NCAA/CIS football
All of the players on CFL rosters had to go to school, and so do the future CFL players. Before seeing future CFL stars light up Canada professionally, you can watch them develop in University football.
Both the NCAA and the CIS are starting and finishing their bowl games about now, and it is the perfect time to watch these young players play at their full potential, and not only can you watch everyone play, but you can also look closer at the players among the Redblacks negotiations list.
On the Redblacks negotiations list is,
Floyd Allen
WR
Ole Miss
David Blough
QB
Purdue
Rashard Davis
WR
James Madison
Eric Dungey
QB
Syracuse
Luke Falk
QB
Washington St
Charles Harris
DE
Buffalo
Deonte Harris
WR
Assumption College
Devlin Hodges
QB
Samford
Malik Reed
DE
Nevada
PJ Walker
QB
Temple
A few of the players listed have already made their way to the NFL, although a few of the are still in NCAA games this season, so if you’d like to see who’s going to ball next for the Redblacks, you can be a scout for the off-season.
Free Agency
This season hit hard for many Redblacks fans, and a few of them already gave up on the team, but it’s way too early to give up. This season was a great learning experience not only for us fans but also the front office. After not making a lot of moves last off-season, the scouts, and managers learnt that we have to make more moves to become a better football team.
To add or replace to the team we have right now, this coming March the CFL free agency period will open once again, and the Redblacks will indeed get an identity which laced this season.
On November 10th, the 2019 Grey Cup Playoffs had begun. To begin, the bracket gave both Saskatchewan and Hamilton bye weeks as they would be playing the winners of the Semi-Final round.
In the semi-final round, we saw Winnipeg and Calgary fight it out in the west, while Edmonton crossed over to the east to play Montreal and both games brought light to former Redblack players.
East Semi-Final
To start up the CFL playoffs was the 12:00 game between the Edmonton Eskimos and Montreal Alouettes. In this game, Trevor Harris, Greg Ellingson, Josh Johnson, Sir Vincent Rogers, Travon Van, Jamill Smith and Mike Moore would all face-off against both Chris Ackie and Jeremiah Johnson.
Between the former Redblacks players, a turning point to the game had been made. Before the game, everyone’s eyes were on the East’s Montreal Alouettes and star quarterback Vernon Adams. Early in the game, Former Redblacks quarterback, Trevor Harris completed 22 consecutive passes which set up for another phenomenal playoff outing. Coming back from the playoffs last season, where he threw for 6 touchdown passes in the East-Final, Harris was back firing the ball again for over 400 yards on 36 completions, while just 3 passes fell incomplete.
One more former Redblack who made change on the Eskimos offense was receiver Greg Ellingson, who rests as Harris’ top target. Ellingson caught 8 of 9 targets for 125 yards which would bring him back to previous playoff match ups from his time in Ottawa, catching the ball for over 100 yards in 3 playoff games in Ottawa which add to his totals with a total of 50 playoff catches for 915 yards and 4 touchdowns. If Harris wants to go further in the playoffs, his best bet is to throw it his way!
Although it may seem lie the offense does all the work, it is not true, as the Eskimos kick return game is what set up all of these big plays by Trevor Harris and company.
Former Redblacks receiver and Returner Jamill Smith who was signed by Edmonton earlier in the week returned 9 punt and kick returns for a grand total of 165 yards including a 27 yard kickoff return which was his longest on the day.
On the defensive side of the ball in Edmonton, three turnovers were a big turning point to the semi final game. All three were forced by former Redblacks’ corner back Josh Johnson who tallied up 3 interceptions over the weekend.
As a finalization to the east semi final, the Edmonton Eskimos would move on to Hamilton after beating Montreal 37-29.
West Semi-Final
Over 24,000 fans came to watch the Winnipeg Blue-Bombers and Calgary Stampeders face-off in Calgary on Sunday, and for the Blue-Bomber fans making the trip down, it was much worth it!
Within the two teams, there were just a few former Redblacks players making starts, but the ones that did made some plays.
Between the two rosters, it was just Nick Taylor and Adam Berger from the Redblacks history making their appearances, and one of which played a big part to the West Semi-Finals.
Later in the game, when Calgary was looking to get back into the game, all their hope was denied by what was Bo Levi Mitchell’s 3rd interception of the game intercepted by former Redblacks halfback, Nick Taylor. To pair with his interception, Taylor also recovered a kickoff for 15 additional yards.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Nick Taylor (25) intercepts the pass intended for Montreal Alouettes’ Quan Bray (4) during the second half of CFL action in Winnipeg, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
In the 2014 CFL draft, Scott MacDonell was selected to play for the Ottawa Redblacks. The Montreal native was hoping to repeat what he did at Queens, but the rookies goals came behind the team’s as they were looking to gain attention after the city’s disappearance from football. The 2014 season was Ottawa’s first time an Ottawa football team stepped field since 2006, when the Ottawa Renegades folded.
The Redblacks attempt to a big comeback in the first year of their existence fell short… really short. The 2014 Redblacks finished the year 2-16, although they did show a lot of hope towards their fans, Ottawa’s rookie receiver started his career off great. MacDonell caught the ball 13 times in his rookie campaign turning them all into 181 yards and a touchdown.
Year two for MacDonell started to build memories more than build stats, as the signings of Greg Ellingson, Brad Sinopoli, Ernest Jackson and Chris Williams added fire power toward to Ottawa Redblacks pass game. With playing time diminished, MacDonell only put up 2 receptions for 26 yards.
In the 2015 season, Ottawa brought in a big group of players that would play with Scott MacDonell, and out of the group coming in, one of them Ernest Jackson became one of Scott’s favorite teammates. MacDonell looks back “We had a lot of interesting guys here in Ottawa and on other teams I was a part of, but E Jack was something else. One time I saw him walk past Marcel Desjardins and in full stride he looked back at him with a big emoji looking face and it may have been one of the only times I saw Marcel laugh during a practice. Slim Jim Jack was just one of those guys that brought energy and humor to the serious game. He was definitely one of the most interesting guys I’ve played with.”
It was tough for MacDonell to get involved with the offense as the team kept growing and getting better, but the additions of these players helped Scott win championships. The comeback, which gave all of Ottawa hope towards their football team was led by veteran quarterback Henry Burris, who led the Redblacks to two straight Grey Cups in ‘15 and ‘16. Although it seemed like a one man show at times, Burris wouldn’t of been able to do it all without the rest of the team, such as Queens’ product, Scott MacDonell.
Out of the two Grey Cup appearances in MacDonell’s career, he won the second one in 2016 against Calgary and he used the word “Focus” to describe it “We showed up to Toronto with a purpose and we had to focus on our goals all week.”
From his last season at Queens University, MacDonell caught for over 450 yards and 4 touchdowns, so when his playing time was reduced here in Ottawa, it may have taken a little bit of time to adjust to the new roles because of his previous success.
– #83, wide receiver Scott MacDonell. Ottawa Redblacks training camp at TD Place Friday, June 2, 2017. Julie Oliver/Postmedia
For MacDonell, the adjustment didn’t need much time , as when he was placed onto special teams, he forced over 10 tackles and a fumble recovery in both 2015 and 2016.
After winning the Grey Cup in 2016, the Redblacks brought MacDonell back for the first few weeks of 2017, but once the 2017 season was in full swing, the Redblacks made a decision which would end in Scott MacDonell being released by the team.
MacDonell was back in Ottawa this past week at the Redblacks home finale in 2019 and he explained “My time here was incredible. I don’t think I took enough time to appreciate it when I was here but now that I sit in the stands here today, I’ve reminisced so many memories that were built here at TD Place. Even when I look back at it, I had so many ups and downs in my career, but the fact that I won a Grey Cup, is unreal and to think that there were ever bad times is crazy when you look at all the great times.”
Unfortunately, MacDonell has just gotten one stint with the Edmonton Eskimos since the departure from Ottawa, and he’s begun to move on from football. Although he hasn’t oficially called it quits on his football career, he is now working with technology “Right now, I’m working with a company called Insight who is a computer company. They’re Microsoft’s number one global partner along with one of CISCO’s main partner and we do a lot of security and data. I am very interested in my IT field, and the way I spread positivity, I believe that I can grow into a company in future years.”
Even-though he is not a part of football on the field, he’s trying to find his way into football off the field. “I started Project Play-maker, I’m trying to help out a lot of younger athletes in my area, where I do my best to help them grind off the field. In football, you show up to your team and your coach and to be physically fit is not the responsibility of your team, in fact it’s your responsibility to be ready to play, and with Project Play-maker, I’m hoping to get these guys ready for their next seasons.”
While Scott starts to build his coaching skills with “Project Play-Maker” look out for Scott MacDonell in coaching jobs as there is a possibility that he coaches here in Ottawa or some place else in the CFL
In 2014, hope was given to football fans in the Ottawa area as the CFL was back in Ottawa with the Ottawa Redblacks. To lead the new team was coach Rick Campbell, son of all-time great CFL coach Hugh Campbell who won 10 grey cups as a player and a coach. Not only was Rick the son of Hugh, but he was also an assistant coach with him in Edmonton along with finding his own jobs in Calgary, Winnipeg and Oregon.
Hope may have been given, but the 2014 season was unable to meet the fans expectations as they went 2-16 in their inaugural season. It may have been their inaugural season, but the 2-16 finish wasn’t the best thing to look at for football fans in the area.
Fortunately for the Redblacks and its fans, they wouldn’t have to look at losing records for much longer. Both Rick Campbell and GM Marcel Desjardins worked together to sign some big names, and the 2015 Redblacks who were led by quarterback Henry Burris went to the 103rd Grey Cup in Winnipeg.
A 12-6 record and an east division title granted Rick Campbell the award of the CFL coach of the year in 2015. Although the team received multiple awards going into the big game, they were unable to pull through with the victory. The team lost 26-20 to the Edmonton Eskimos, and Campbell was promising the city of Ottawa to believe in them for the 2016 season.
Luckily for Campbell, the fans didn’t need any promises, in 2016 they were loud and proud cheering for a 2016 Redblacks team who were looking better than their 2015 selves. Finishing 8-9-1 looked tough compared to the previous year, but the team won the east and played like a team going all the way to the 2016 Grey Cup.
Just moments before the game had started, Henry Burris was injured during warmups, although he explains to coach Campbell that he’s okay to play. Campbell was in the thought process of either sticking with Burris or getting backup quarterback Trevor Harris to run the show at the Grey Cup. Although t may have been a tough choice to make, he without a doubt stuck with the veteran quarterback, and his decision to keep Burris in for the game came back to achieve him as they won Ottawa’s first Grey Cup in 40 years 39-33 in overtime against the firing hot Calgary Stampeders.
Since the Grey Cup win, Campbell has brought the team to the playoffs twice, going to the Grey Cup in 2018 but losing to Calgary. He came into the 2019 season without a definite starting quarterback, and many big pieces from the previous season.
He was one of us! He cared about us…our families, lives outside of football. Built relationships with his guys. Treated us the way he wanted to be treated and got the best out of us because we RESPECTED him. Best of luck in the future Rick. #ThankYou 👏#RNation#Truth
After playing in the Grey Cup the previous year, the Redblacks went through 3 starting quarterbacks throughout the 2019 season who combined for 3 total wins on a 3-15 record to close off the season.
Burris: I didn't want to believe it when I heard the news Henry Burris joins The Drive to talk about Rick Campbell deciding not to return as head coach of the Ottawa RedBlacks https://t.co/fngfn9os8s via @TSN1200
With most of his amusement gone after a depressing 2019 season, Campbell decided to part ways with the franchise after his 6th season as the head coach.
Campbell finished his time here in Ottawa with a 43-63-2 record along with 3 Grey Cup appearances (2016 Championship) and a 2015 coach of the year award.
JZ MEDIA 