http://www.winnipegsun.com/2013/12/02/bombers-settle-with-tim-burke

 

Kirk Penton

Winnipeg Sun

 

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have reached a contract settlement with former head coach Tim Burke.

The buyout, which the Bombers said is “very favourable” for the organization, likely paves the way for Burke to join the Toronto Argonauts as their defensive co-ordinator, although nothing has been finalized on that front.

Burke, whom the Bombers fired last month, had a year left on his contract with the Blue and Gold, and the organization didn’t rule out bringing him back as defensive co-ordinator if the new head coach was willing to go that route.

Once Argos defensive co-ordinator Chris Jones left Toronto to become the Edmonton Eskimos new head coach, however, it seemed like a natural fit for Burke to join the Boatmen. He and Argos head coach Scott Milanovich worked together in Montreal as co-ordinators and are fairly close friends.

It’s likely the Bombers agreed to pay Burke a portion of the difference between his head coaching salary and what he will likely be making as the man in charge of Toronto’s defence.

Burke made it to four consecutive Grey Cups as a defensive co-ordinator between 2008 and 2011. His head coaching career didn’t go as well; he was 7-21 over two seasons when the Bombers let him go.

Burke's buyout also means next season the Bombers won't be paying a coach who isn't working for them. It's been a while since they've been able to say that. Former president Garth Buchko and ex-GM Joe Mack are still on the books, however.

 

So only have to pay the difference betwen what he will make and the contract that the Bomber gave him. Seemed to make out alright on that one.

Good pickup at DC for the Argos if he does go there.   Would have liked to see Burke stay on as DC here, but really it makes more sense to make it a clean break.   Wonder if Creehan will follow him to Toronto.

Wade Miller did well on this one. We're going to be paying Burke peanuts.

Wade Miller did well on this one. We're going to be paying Burke peanuts.

Is this only if Burke goes to T.O or elsewhere, or a favourable deal even if Burke decides to sit out the season ?

 

Wade Miller did well on this one. We're going to be paying Burke peanuts.

Is this only if Burke goes to T.O or elsewhere, or a favourable deal even if Burke decides to sit out the season ?

 

 

Sounds like this is a done deal and not conditional .  He agreed to a buyout, so that is the end of it as far as the Bombers are concerned.

Burke agreed to this so he's doing us a favour for sure.... He didn't have to. Could have put his feet up for a year & taken life easy.

And Buchko and Mack sip on their Mojitos and smile.....

What a bargin pay a guy 100k so he can coach against you.

 

 

Wade Miller did well on this one. We're going to be paying Burke peanuts.

Is this only if Burke goes to T.O or elsewhere, or a favourable deal even if Burke decides to sit out the season ?

 

 

Sounds like this is a done deal and not conditional .  He agreed to a buyout, so that is the end of it as far as the Bombers are concerned.

 

The chances of a guy like Burke not getting a DC position somewhere are slim to none next year I would think so if the guy wants to work rather than collecting money for doing nothing it makes sense for him. 

Toronto just got better. 

@BobIrvingCJOB: Tim burke off to toronto to become defensive co-ordinator after settling contract with bombers

Jones was an excellent DC (won 3 Grey Cups) so I don't know if the Argos D will get better with Burke. I expect they'll play the same because of talent already there.

@BobIrvingCJOB: Tim burke off to toronto to become defensive co-ordinator after settling contract with bombers

I bet he's glad to get away from the circus here that was the 2013 season. Of which he was the ringmaster.

Toronto just got better. 

No they didn't. Not taking anything away from Burke as a DC, but Chris Jones is much better.

 

Toronto just got better. 

No they didn't. Not taking anything away from Burke as a DC, but Chris Jones is much better.

 

 

Meh. Perhaps. I think Burke is a good man though, as evidenced by the classy way he handled his buy out. He'll flourish as DC in TO.

 

Chris Jones on the other hand, paired up with that asshat Ed Hervey, will be a disaster. Bank on it. 

What a bargin pay a guy 100k so he can coach against you.

 

The other side of the coin is we are paying him to keep failure away from what will be our new-look Bombers. 

 

I'd pay for that.

Good for Bombers. Good for Burke. Classy guy. I think we will regret losing him as DC.

How much to DCs make?

Good for him. Hope he does well.

For all the Chris Jones lovers I bet Hamilton was sorry to see Jones go west. Good luck to Burke in Toronto...a fresh start.

Works for both sides.

Interested to see what Burke does in Toronto. My first thoughts are that the personnel may not fit what he wants to do.

For all the Jones love going on you gotta remember that 2 seasons ago Gary Crowton had his defense absolutely guessing. He's a good DC but he's hardly the myth that many people are trying to turn him into here. 

Let's hope that half-way through next year the Argos decide to give Milanovich his walking papers and appoint Burke as Head Coach.  That would be interesting to watch indeed.

does Burke get to bring Creehan along as a signing bonus?

Hopefully Burke takes most of the defensive staff with him as well.

 

 

As for Jones, I'm of an opinion that Jones' success like Chapdelaine's are more a product of the talent their teams have had as opposed to them being solid co-ordinators.