The final touches

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are expected to announce a new head coach by the end of the week and it's almost a certainty now that it will be Winnipeg Blue Bombers' defensive co-ordinator Tim Burke, who had been the frontrunner for several weeks.

Earlier this week, the Ticats received permission to talk to Buffalo Bills' quarterback coach George Cortez, who has a long history in the Canadian Football League as an offensive co-ordinator and has worked with Hamilton's recent acquisition, quarterback Henry Burris, in Calgary.

Sportstnet.ca has learned Cortez's financial demands and his wanting total control of football operations will prevent discussions from going anywhere significant. Cortez has been the Bills' quarterbacks coach for two years and the Ticats wanted to interview him, but had to wait until the Bills' season ended to receive permission. The Bills ended the 2011 season with a 6-10 record, and fired their defensive co-ordinator, but left the offensive coaching staff in place.

Cortez politely declined an interview request from sportsnet.ca.

The Ticats fired head coach Marcel Bellefeuille after the season, and had an interest in keeping defensive co-ordinator Corey Chamblin, who left the team to sign with the Saskatchewan Roughriders as head coach.

Perry Lefko keeps you connected to all the news in the CFL on sportsnet.ca. He is also a regular contributor on other sports, including the UFC.