The hiring policies of this organization, over the past few decades can be viewed with a rightful degree of skepticism.
1996 - Winnipeg Blue Bombers board decides to relieve curmudgeon Coach and GM, Cal Murphy in favour of the sexy, hip young coach on the harley resulting in two of the worst seasons in Bomber history.
1999 - boards hired Lyle Bauer as GM and CEO. While Bauer does some good things like bringing the Bombers debt levels to manageable levels and increase season ticket levels and corporate sponsorships to a respecatable amount, he inserted himself into the decision-making process of recently promoted GM Brendan Taman in 2004 ordering him to fire Dave Ritchie. He followed this up in 2008, ordering the firing of Doug Berry in favor of his buddy Mike Kelly, leading to the disastrous 2009 season in which Kelly traded away half the Bombers' upcoming draft picks and alienated the fan base resulting in the lowest crowds seen since the late 90s. Oh, and the team missed the playoffs as well followed by Kelly's arrest and ultimate firing. Bauer leaves for the greener pastures of Calgary around this time.
2010 - In its infinite wisdom, the Bomber board decides to hire a former director of player personal, Joe Mack, who hasn't been seen in these parts, or any other CFL city in 22 years. A curious hire, Mack fails to deliver on his promise of delivering the franchise a long-term solution at QB relying on broken-down Buck Pierce to lead the team during his entire 4-year tenure. Canadian drafting leads to mixed results, recruiting from the US is adequate, but free agency proves to be his greatest downfall as he fails to significantly upgrade areas of significant weakness, O-line and QB. Needless to say he proves to be a terrible team builder leading the team to 4-14, 10-8, 6-12 and 3-15 team seasons. His hirings for the head coach position are highly questionable, most notably the disasterous 1.5 year reign of Tim Burke.
2012- The hiring of Garth Buchko as CEO who lasted all of a year and will forever be known as the man who guaranteed the Bombers would be playing at Investors Group Field in 2012. Another curious hiring of an individual who appears to have been unqualified for the job. It appears that being the director of a radio station that broadcast Bomber games was good enough for the suits on top.
2013 - Bombers bring in failed special teams coach, Kyle Walters, acting as interim general manager in the wake of the Joe Mack firing, with assurances from up top that the Bombers will extensively search for a GM come the off-season. Sure enough, in the off season, after this "extensive search" Kyle Walter is hired. His near 2-year reign as GM has been a mixed bag - high-priced free agent acquisitions Nick Moore and Korey Banks failed to impress(first year) or were MIA while Stanley Bryant has seen middling results. Trades for the likes of Chris Randle and Dominic Picard have improved the Bombers at those respective positions on the field. While Walters should be commended for doing what his predecessor failed to do, sign a young up-and-coming QB in Drew Willy, there was really no other options for both the GM and the QB for the starter's spot. All other teams had their Qb positions filled with Burris and Collaros having rebuked the young GM in favour of teams elsewhere. The big concern with this GM is his inability to recruit replacement players from colleges and the NFL down south, most noticeably at linebacker and the defensive line.
