Drew Willy looked very good in his starts under Cortez in Saskatchewan. I'd love to have him over a coach that's already failed twice here....

 

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/bombers/Blue-Bombers-considering-ex-Lion-for-offensive-co-ordinator-spot-360196641.html

 

The crazy season in the CFL — the annual shuffling of coaching jobs that begins after the Grey Cup — has spit out an intriguing name for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The B.C. Lions, in addition to announcing Wednesday Wally Buono would return to the sidelines and act as GM after Jeff Tedford resigned amid rumours he was heading back to the NCAA, also indicated veteran offensive co-ordinator George Cortez would not return in 2016.

 

It’s worth noting Cortez, even before the announcement, was already on the Bombers’ candidate wish list for their vacant offensive co-ordinator position.

So, too, is Bombers Hall of Famer Khari Jones, who spent last season as the Lions’ receivers coach. The Bombers would need permission from the Lions to speak with Jones, but are free to chat with Cortez now.

The Bombers have already begun the interview process for their offensive boss position and there are a number of candidates said to be on the list, including former head coach-turned-TSN analyst Paul LaPolice, Marcus Brady of the Toronto Argonauts, Jarious Jackson of the Edmonton Eskimos, Saskatchewan Roughriders interim head coach Bob Dyce and offensive coordinator Jacques Chapdelaine. Jason Maas, the Ottawa Redblacks offensive guru, has long been on Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea’s wish list but he could be a candidate for the Eskimos if their current head coach, Chris Jones, bolts to the Riders for a GM/head coach gig.

He’s also not going to make a lateral move unless it involves a promotion, such as an assistant head coach title.

All those candidates are likely watching to see what unfolds in Regina, but in Cortez, the Bombers have a candidate they can talk to now.

There is also a connection: Cortez was the Riders offensive co-ordinator in 2013-14, working one year with Drew Willy before the quarterback landed in Winnipeg.

And Willy’s possible endorsement — or a thumbs down — will play a significant role in who ends up in the job.

Cortez has 19 years experience in the CFL, beginning with the Montreal Concordes in 1984.

He has also worked for the Ottawa Rough Riders, Calgary Stampeders and Buffalo Bills before becoming the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ head coach in 2012.

 

He was fired by the Ticats after one season, having posted a 6-12 record, but has been a part of five Grey Cup championship teams, four with the Stamps (1992, 1998, 2001 and 2008) and one with the Riders (2013).

I have my opinion on who I want them to hire... but at the end of the day, Ill root for whoever they pick weather it be Lapo, Khari, Cortez, Brady or Maas.... Until they give me a reason not too.

The Riders with Reinbold as GM, Jim Daley as Head Coach, Marcel as OC and Etch as DC would be a dream.

Mack as GM

gainer as the ceo

O'Shea is not dumb and he knows that he's running out of chances.  So I expect that he's going to try and hire like his career depends on it.

With all due respect, I don't know how smart O'Shea is, especially after his body of work the last two seasons.

Well. The negative posts don't really bother me. I guess I just don't see the point in being negative at this time. It's one thing to criticize the team but when you do it all the time... it gets old and makes you wonder if some people truly are bomber fans or if they are just here to constantly complain about everything

 

This study would suggest a different reason ...

 

http://io9.com/5848119/do-eternally-optimistic-people-just-have-malfunctioning-frontal-lobes

 

This part was particularly interesting ...

 

"From an evolutionary perspective, excessive optimism is generally a bad idea. After all, if you're constantly assuming good things will happen, you'll probably be ill-prepared when bad things inevitably come along. Now scientists have an explanation...which isn't exactly flattering to the eternally optimistic." ...

 

"So then, those of us blessed with an eternally sunny disposition also have a brain that doesn't process unwanted information correctly. I would go ahead and warn all my optimistic friends about this, but I have the sinking suspicion that they'd just find the bright side of a malfunctioning frontal lobe."

The Riders with Reinbold as GM, Jim Daley as Head Coach, Marcel as OC and Etch as DC would be a dream.

Ok now your just being mean. LOL.  No Jim Daley on staff?

Well looks like the Bombers have asked the Eskies for permission to speak to Jarious Jackson.

Jackson is waiting for Jones' decision first.

Jackson would be an interesting option for OC

Everyone is waiting for Jones decision. Jones will have the pick of the crop then the defending Grey Cup champs who ever their HC, then BC and then Wpg.

Why would the leos/ Wally have a better shot at hiring a coach...I don't hear of anyone breaking down the doors to coach the leos, with Wally back in charge...In fact I think we are a more desirable place to play and coach, and we'll find that out when the dust settles...

I imagine teams have done their homework already on potential candidates and have an idea of who they want and how they rank them on their wish list.

As a fan I would like to see K.Jones or J.Jackson or possibly M.Brady here next year as our OC. They all seem to be on the cusp of being very good OC's.

 

I want a guy who can bring/attract some coveted free agents with him, our talent needs a boost too.

Cortez Retires.

gary lawless        ✔ @garylawless

Look for @Wpg_BlueBombers to try and move fast on Paul LaPolice for OC now @cfl top candidates for @EdmontonEsks HC will be Maas, Steinauer

 

 

But...but why?!?!

Lawless has been pumping LaPo up all year. 

Guess LaPo will figure he is ass out on a HC job and if he wants to get back into coaching he better take an OC job.

Well, Edmonton may have an opening....

I have zero interest in bringing Lapo back as our OC. The only positive is that basically guarantees that this regime gets fired by Labour Day.

LaPo might say he wants to go after the HC job in Edm and Wpg panics and gives him a deadline on the OC job. Sadly he takes the Wpg OC job.

Bomber tagline for 2016 when they rehire Lapo:

 

Unfinished business - 2011 edition, baby

I have zero interest in bringing Lapo back as our OC. The only positive is that basically guarantees that this regime gets fired by Labour Day.

Might be a good way to save money.  Team gets off to a poor start,  O'Shea is fired, Lapo takes on the role of head coach to go along with his OC job.  "tis the Bomber way.

 

 

Cortez has won FIVE Cups as an OC, I don't care about his recent failure or perceived failure. The BC offence looked pretty darn good with him in charge and he was a champ as recently as two years ago. Is he interested is the only issue IMO. He's no spring chicken. I remember hearing that Harris didn't like his offence, well sorry but if he wants to not sign here because of it so be it. How many Cups have Lapo's teams WON again?

You should.

The CFL is a constantly evolving league. Would you want Wally Buono as a head coach these days? I sure wouldn't. Why? Because the game has passed him by, and there's an argument to be made that the same thing has happened to Cortez.

Cortez wouldn't be my first choice. Like I said ... if Willy likes him enough, fine. But I'm wary of hiring him.

Whoa I'd take Buono over MOS any day of the week not even close.

 

How do you know the game has passed Cortez or Buono by? Because they're over 60 so naturally they know nothing about offenses & defenses anymore. Wally has become a bad GM because he tries to replace veterans with chepaer rookies but it really didn't work. He did the same in Calgary & always got away with it because of great depth until 2002 when the floor fell through as well as dealing with wacky new ownership in F Troop. . But even so, constantly turning over the personnel eventually will cause problems as it has the past 2 seasons in BC. But the game passing those 2 by? No, I don't believe that for a second. Not until I see it on the field in losses. I think Cortez did a masterful job coaching up Jonathan Jennings this past season. Cortez did his job as a coach, Wally did a lousy job as a GM. 

I could see LaPo as head coach in Edmonton...

I could see LaPo as head coach in Edmonton...

 

Nope...Hervey's smarter than that.   Only the Bombers could be fooled by Lapo's greatness.      

Maas will be Esks head coach. I'd imagine the bombers will get Jones Jackson or Lapolice.

Preference is probably lapolice out of those 3. He's a good coordinator. Just not a good head coach. Sask O was pretty good with him in charge

Bobby Dyce's name was in the mix but it seems to have fizzled out.   Always thought he had a brilliant football mind but the lustre seems to have worn off since he lost his OC duties in Sask.   

I'm not sure Jason Maas is ready for a head coaching job quite yet.  To me it seems like a decision based on the heart vs. the head. 

Bobby Dyce's name was in the mix but it seems to have fizzled out.   Always thought he had a brilliant football mind but the lustre seems to have worn off since he lost his OC duties in Sask.   

I don't want us to roll the Dyce on Bob. Yeah, I know.... Position coach, sure. OC no way.