THE CANADIAN PRESS

CALGARY -- The Calgary Stampeders cleaned out their lockers Monday amid rumours of major changes coming in the wake of their third hasty exit from the CFL playoffs in as many years.

Head coach Tom Higgins is likely at the front of the chopping block after word leaked out even before Sunday's West Division semifinal loss to Saskatchewan that he would be replaced by former Stampeders assistant coach John Hufnagel next year.

Even president Ted Hellard suggested Monday that he could have a smaller role with the club following a thorough review of all operations in the near future.

Higgins made it clear Monday that he remains head coach but suggested that any major changes should be implemented sooner rather than later.

"It does affect a lot of people and there's a ripple effect when it happens to a head coach," he said at the Stamps office in McMahon Stadium.

"There's a wife and three children, but also there's a whole coaching staff here that really sits in limbo and wonders if there is a change or something were to happen, what would happen to them."

If it were it up to him, Higgins said no decisions would be made until after the Grey Cup. But then things would move quickly to give everyone time to react.

Topped off with the Higgins' rumours on the eve of the post-season, the Stamps 2007 campaign will be remembered as one of constant turmoil with more than 25 first-year players suiting up by the end of the season.

In early September, the team's dysfunctional rotation of receivers ended when much-ballyhooed Mark Boerigter was released despite three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and an earlier, much more successful stint in Calgary.

Last month, defensive co-ordinator Denny Creehan was fired in what Higgins said was one of the harder things he's had to do in his long football career.

Still, Higgins said more changes are necessary after his team finished third in the West.

"By no stretch of the imagination are we good enough. We can be better in every area -- whether it's offence, defence, special teams, coaches, players even in the back office, front office."