BY ARASH MADANI
sportsnet.ca
For weeks it has been speculated that it was just a matter of time before Kavis Reed would be named the next head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos.
On Wednesday evening, Edmonton Journal football writer Mario Annicchiarico reported that the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be unveiled as the Eskimos new head coach at a press conference in Edmonton as early as Friday.
Reached Wednesday night, Eric Tillman denied offering Reed, nor his agent, Tim Fleiszer, a contract.
"At this point, has Kavis Reed been offered the job directly or indirectly? No. And, no, includes not going through his wife, not through his agent, not through his neighbour, not through his dog," said the Eskimos general manager. "Is Kavis a very strong candidate? Yes. But, there are other excellent options, too."
Fleiszer said it was too premature to comment.
Despite a deal not being on the table, it's still when, not if, before Reed's first head coaching opportunity becomes formal - either at a Friday afternoon press conference, or at some point next week. As of early Wednesday evening, some of the other candidates who had interviewed for the job were not told by Tillman that they were out of the running.
Reed has been the legitimate frontrunner from the start of the coaching search - some in league circles believing even before Richie Hall was fired last month. While former Roughriders head coach Kent Austin's name always came up as a possibility because of his connection with Tillman, the former CFL quarterback was not leaving his post as the head coach of Cornell University in the NCAA.
The Eskimos had hoped to formally hire a head coach before Christmas, and that date was pushed to the middle of next week with news that team president Rick LeLacheur would be undergoing surgery for prostate cancer. LeLacheur was scheduled to return from Las Vegas on Wednesday night where CFL presidents were having their annual December meetings.
Reed, a former Eskimo (1995-2000), worked with Tillman on the expansion Ottawa Renegades staff. Since, Reed has had assistant coaching stints in Hamilton, Toronto, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg. It is believed that Reed, who makes his off-season home in Edmonton, has compiled his Eskimos coaching staff.
Either former Argonauts head coach Rich Stubler, or one-time Blue Bombers defensive co-ordinator Mark Nelson, is expected to be the new Eskimos defensive co-ordinator. Nelson joined Hall's staff at mid-season and did a terrific job working with the linebackers, while Stubler has parted ways with B.C. after spending the 2010 season as the Lions defensive line coach.
Marcus Crandell, whose contract expires in January as Saskatchewan's quarterback coach, is likely becomes Edmonton's offensive coordinator.
Reed is said to be impressed, and will retain, two other holdovers from Hall's staff: receivers coach Jason Tucker and Tim Prinsen. Prinsen took over offensive line coach duties after Jeff Bleamer was fired in August.
Rick Campbell, who worked with Nelson on Mike Kelly's staff in Winnipeg in 2009, is expected to be the Eskimos' special teams coach.
"Some of those are accurate, based on what Kavis has discussed with me. Some are not. But, it's not appropriate to go through a projected staff yes or no checklist," said Tillman. "Hell, we haven't even offered the head coaching job to anyone yet. And, every projected staff is different based on who it might be."
Reed is likely the only member of Paul LaPolice's coaching staff in Winnipeg who will not return next season.
