BY PERRY LEFKO
sportsnet.ca
Rumours have already surfaced Richie Hall is on borrowed time as head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos.
A story in the Edmonton Sun claims Hall will be fired on Friday by general manager Eric Tillman. It appears to premature speculation, although not entirely out of the realm of possibility.
If Tillman's past history is any indication, the likelihood of Hall returning for a third season isn't great. Hall finished his second season with a 7-11 record following a 2-9 start, missing the playoffs with a loss to Saskatchewan last Sunday.
Hall struggled in his first season with the Eskimos, posting a 9-9 record and losing in the first round of the playoffs.
The Eskimos turnaround down the stretch this year started with the hiring of Tillman in mid-September. The team had a 5-1 record under the Tillman regime going into the final weekend.
Tillman twice passed on two separate occasions to hire Hall in Saskatchewan. When he first took over in Saskatchewan in August 2006, he evaluated the team and offered head coach Danny Barrett a one-year extension. Barrett declined and hired Kent Austin, who guided the team to a Grey Cup win.
Austin left after a year to take a job at Ole Miss and Tillman hired Rider offensive co-ordinator Ken Miller. Both Austin and Miller retained Hall as defensive co-ordinator.
If Tillman makes a coaching change, Calgary quarterbacks coach Dave Dickenson could be in the running. His stock has risen in only two seasons.
It has been speculated Winnipeg defensive co-ordinator Kavis Reed, who has a past history with Tillman, could be in the mix. If Tillman parts with Hall, he could immediately hire Reed, if the Bombers give him permission, without having to drag out the process. If the process were to drag on, it would mean Tillman has other candidates.
Because the league office doesn't want coaching moves during Grey Cup week, Tillman would have to make his moves within the next two weeks.
