With the Eskimos set to hire Kavis Reed a domino effect will take place in CFL coaching circles.
One of the worst-kept secrets in the Canadian Football League will be officially confirmed when the Edmonton Eskimos hire Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ defensive co-ordinator Kavis Reed as their new head coach.
The hiring, which is expected to be announced on Friday, is hardly a surprise.
Eskimos general manager Eric Tillman had talked glowingly about Reed for some time, having worked with him on staffs in Ottawa and Saskatchewan.
While Tillman had interviewed several other candidates, it had been known that Reed was his top pick when he couldn’t persuade Kent Austin to leave the University of Cornell.
Tillman hired Austin in 2007 in Saskatchewan and the two celebrated a Grey Cup win together.
Reed played for Edmonton from 1995-2000 and still lives there. He will provide a link to the organization’s slogan "once an Eskimo, always an Eskimo."
Reed worked as the Bombers’ defensive co-ordinator year after working with Saskatchewan previously as special teams co-ordinator. When the Riders’ lost the 2009 Grey Cup because of a penalty for too-many men on the field, which allowed the Montreal Alouettes to re-kick a missed field goal for the win, Reed accepted full responsibility.
Reed has also worked for Toronto and Hamilton and is known for his work ethic.
Reed’s hiring had been speculated for several weeks, and the Edmonton Journal reported Dec. 7 that he was to be announced as the Eskimos’ head coach on Dec. 10.
In an interview with Sportsnet.ca’s Arash Madani, Tillman said he had not offered the job to Reed. In fact, Tillman had planned to conduct some second interviews with other candidates, including Calgary defensive co-ordinator Chris Jones, on Dec. 9.
But early Thursday, the Stamps released news that Jones and quarterback coach Dave Dickenson, who had also been a candidate in the Eskimo coaching derby, would remain with the team.
Jones was given the additional portfolio of assistant director player personnel/football operations, while Dickenson has been promoted to offensive co-ordinator. Running backs coach Rick Campbell was not mentioned, indicating without saying it that he is headed off to Edmonton, which has been rumoured for some time. He has worked for the Eskimos before.
It is expected that the Stamps will hire Mike Gibson, who worked for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats the past two seasons as offensive co-ordinator. Gibson left because he became engaged to a woman from Calgary.
Reed’s defection to Edmonton will create an opening for a defensive co-ordinator in Winnipeg. Greg Marshall, who currently serves in that role in Hamilton, may be in line for the job. There is speculation the Ticats plan to significantly change their coaching staff and player personnel.
Meanwhile, the Roughriders continue their search for a head coach. Richie Hall and Doug Berry are the top contenders, although Bob Wylie, who worked as the Roughriders’ offensive line coach in 2009, is also rumoured to be in the mix. If Berry gets the job, it is expected Hall will go to Hamilton as defensive co-ordinator. If Hall gets the Rider job, Berry may go to Hamilton, although quarterbacks coach Khari Jones may be in line for a promotion.
The Ticats are also conducting a search for an assistant GM. Joe Womack, player personnel director for Saskatchewan, is a leading contender.
