BY ARASH MADANI
sportsnet.ca
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are no closer to hiring a coach Monday than they were last week.
Montreal Alouettes offensive coordinator Scott Milanovich met with Riders brass both over the weekend and on Monday before leaving Regina this afternoon. The visit included a breakfast with team president Jim Hopson as well as a formal interview session with general manager Brendan Taman and football operations vice president Ken Miller.
But Milanovich is no closer to landing the job than Greg Marshall or Corey Chamblin, who each interviewed last week. Richie Hall was the first to formally meet with Riders brass once Miller stepped down as head coach after Saskatchewan lost in the Grey Cup to Montreal last month. Saskatchewan’s current offensive coordinator, Doug Berry, who guided Winnipeg to the 2007 Grey Cup as Blue Bombers head coach, is also in the mix to succeed Miller.
It is expected that the Roughriders will narrow their list to either two or three candidates by Tuesday, although a press conference to unveil the next Saskatchewan head coach is not expected to happen before Christmas.
Hopson did not spend Monday at the organization’s facility, rather at an off-site, all-day strategic planning session with senior members of the team’s administration staff.
Milanovich, who like Marshall and Chamblin has no CFL head-coaching experience, is said to have presented well, but did not blow away Roughriders management in his two-day session in Saskatchewan.
Milanovich’s inexperience could, conceivably work against him. Not to be forgotten: Milanovich has only been in the CFL since 2007 and his coaching staff options likely would not be as thorough as those who have worked in the league longer.
It is believed that Marshall, no stranger to the head coaching interview process, impressed the group and is said to have outlined a veteran, established staff to work with.
Berry would offer experience, championship pedigree (he was with Montreal in 2002 and has been a Grey Cup runner-up in 2005, 2007 and 2010) and continuity for a franchise that has been to consecutive Grey Cup title games.
The critical element with Berry, who worked with Anthony Calvillo during his rise to becoming the CFL’s best quarterback, is the backing he received from Saskatchewan’s most important player.
A source tells sportsnet.ca that Riders quarterback Darian Durant would endorse the offensive coordinator being elevated to the head coaching role.
Hall is now thought to be a long shot at best to become Saskatchewan’s head coach.
Miller and Taman were scheduled to meet again on Monday evening to discuss the candidates and establish a short list.
