LONDON TIGERS
The Tigers would lose both GM Joseph Johnson and DC Clifford Jacobson to retirement, so they would need to find replacements. At GM, they would hire Martin Gagneaux. Gagneaux previously was the GM for the Montreal Rouge from 1965-1970. He drafted and built most of the roster that went to the McCallister Cup this season in Montreal, and London took note of that. Gagneaux is a fairly methodical GM, focused on drafting and developing talent which should be a good fit on the young, rebuilding team. He also has a lot of similarities to Joseph Johnson in his style which is also another reason the Tigers wanted to bring him on.
As for the DC position, they would go on to hire Jordan Sauveterre. Sauveterre previously was a DC with the Montreal Rouge while Gagneaux was in charge. Sauveterre is a developmental coach primarily from his time at the college level being an impactful coach on plenty of the secondary (DB/S) talent coming out of Majeure Montreal. With HC Aengus Lynch focusing on the game plan and plays, Sauveterre can focus on developing the defensive talent and help integrate the defensive schemes.
CALGARY PREDATORS
With the Wild West offensive scheme is starting to become divisive within the organization. The last season saw improvements in the way the offence functioned under head coach Travis Hobson, however, it wasn’t enough improvement to say that it is working well. OC Ben Flemming was on the side of needing to change things up and after countless debates over the offence, he is giving in and electing to move on this offseason. To replace Flemming the Predators have promoted RB Coach, David Bowman to the OC position. Bowman is certainly much more bought into the Wild West offence with most of his guys getting a lot of the looks in the wild run-heavy game.
REGINA WHEAT KINGS
With the appointment of Scott Hoffman as President of Football Operations with the Wheat Kings, there were expected to be some changes coming to the Wheat Kings staff. In particular, some additions to fill up the most barebones staff in the league. First first hire would be for GM, to relieve HC Wayne Combs of the responsibilities. Hoffman would bring in Aaron Thornton for the role. Thornton’s previous position was as a recruitment and talent manager for Saskatchewan Provincial University under Hoffman’s previous position. Thornton should be a good fit for the Wheat Kings, being a solid scout and recruiter to bring more talent into the organization.
The other change came at OC, with the team electing to let go of Rod Owens and bring on Ben Flemming. Flemming of course just left Calgary and quickly found a new job with the Wheat Kings where they hope the young coach can continue to develop the talent in the team and improve the offence with a fresh set of eyes.
HALIFAX MARINERS
Halifax was another team where some speculation over the future of HC Ben McMillian’s job with the team, but the Mariners are putting faith in the veteran coach to keep helping the young team move forward. However, they are going to make a change at OC. Don Neuman was brought in following the collapse of the Boston Shamrocks (ACFL) in 1969, having a previous connection with McMillian. Neuman has quite the offensive mind, but there was a disconnect between himself and the players, which was something McMillian and GM Anthony Vigneault are worried about with a team going into a rebuild. After conversations with Neuman, it was revealed that Neuman was also looking to change things up and find a new job, likely with a competitive team. So the sides agreed to part ways.
To replace Neuman, the Mariners would bring on Charlie Shepard. Shepard has previously held OC roles with Boston and London, both only lasting 2 years each. The former ACFL QB is ready for the opportunity to have more control over the offence, something that he didn’t have as much in the previous two jobs. He also should be a great mentor and coach specifically for the team’s young QB Todd Sparrow, something that was vitally important about the team’s hiring decision.
PROVIDENCE GOLD STARS
The Gold Stars would be another team to make a change at OC. Kerry Holder, the former Long Island Raiders’ Head Coach, who won a championship with the team in 1965, had been in the position the previous two seasons. He is one of the best schemers for rushing offences, which had led to a strong run game in Providence, but sometimes it can be a bit too conservative of an offence. With a young and talented QB in Red King leading an offence with some outstanding receiving talent in WR Justin Palmer and TE Kairos Knight, they want to try to become a more aggressive attack, especially after only scoring 7 points in their playoff loss to Louisville. After letting Holder go, they would hire Don Neuman as the replacement. Neuman should bring a new direction to the offence as a much more aggressive coach. If he gets the offence right, the Gold Stars, who already have arguably the best defence in the league could become very dangerous. Neuman is excited about the opportunity to be in a competitive team as Providence is in a position to contend after back-to-back great seasons that earned them home playoff games.
TORONTO STEELHEADS
After a disastrous season offensively under OC Gregory Curtis, the Steelheads are already ready to move on from the coach. The team averaged just over 14 points a game last season while QB David Simmons struggled mightily in his first crack at being a full-time starter. Curtis was viewed as a very innovative and experimental coach which may have been the wrong call for a team that doesn’t have the talent to be able to perform the more complex schemes. So, to go in the complete opposite direction the team is bringing in Kerry Holder. As mentioned, Holder is a great run-game coach and his schemes typically take the pressure off of the QB with a lot of runs and quick passes. Something that may help Simmons get comfortable if they stay with the young QB next season. Overall, Holder will give them a more traditional and simple offence that should hopefully stabilize the team next season.
CHANGES OVERVIEW
Calgary
OUT
OC Ben Flemming - Resigned; Hired by REG
IN
OC David Bowman - Promoted from CGY RB Coach
Halifax
OUT
OC Don Neuman - Resigned; Hired by PRO
IN
OC Charlie Shepard - From LI QB Coach
London
OUT
GM Joseph Johnson - Retired
DC Clifford Jacobson - Retired
IN
GM Martin Gagneaux - Free Agent (Previously MTL)
DC Jordan Sauveterre - From OTT DL Coach
Providence
OUT
OC Kerry Holder - Fired; Hired by TOR
IN
OC Don Neuman - From HFX OC
Regina
OUT
OC Rod Owens - Fired
IN
OC Ben Flemming - Hired from CGY OC
Toronto
OUT
OC Gregory Curtis - Fired
IN
OC Kerry Holder - Hired from PRO OC
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