The Dawn of a New Era

A new king has been crowned. The long and exhaustive (and drama-filled) search for a head coach is finally complete as the Roughriders introduced Corey Chamblin as head coach.

I'll admit it. Chamblin wasn't really on my list of contenders. Not sure why.

Okay. I know why. It's just... he's a defensive coordinator. And there is a prevailing theory in CFL circles that defensive-minded coaches don't fair as well. (The notable exceptions are Don Matthews and Wally Buono.)

That doesn't mean Chamblin (pronounced CHAYM-blin, thank you Jamie Nye!) can't be successful. It just means there are a lot of winning coaches out there who come from a background of offensive coordination.

Okay. So I said it. I got out that beef right out there in the open.

BUT... after reading his bio and listening to the press conference I am a little more enthused. 

Several things impressed me from the presser... First, he talked to Darian beforehand to make sure they could work together. Like wow. I don't think Marshall talked to the players for several months after being hired - til they showed up at training camp. If then.

Chamblin added he was excited to come to Saskatchewan to work with Darian because he's an elite QB. Good, good. Nice to see a coach paying his respects. You can't get respect if you don't first give it.

The second thing that got me excited was the power that has been given to him to hire his own personnel. Yippee! I was totally doing the Snoopy happy dance over that one!

Give GM Brendan Taman a gold star! There is no way on earth any head coach should be forced to choose someone already in a position just because "That's the way it's always been... blah blah blah." If the new coach wants to keep a guy around and they are effective at what they're doing, then by all means... But let him have a clean slate and start assembling the pieces to create a winning team on the sidelines.

(If nothing else, the new coach can never use the excuse they had less than a fair shot. Right, Marshall?)

I can hardly wait to see who he unveils as his staff. He wouldn't tip his hand even a little as to which shoulders he'll be tapping in the football world, but he definitely mentioned hiring an offensive coordinator and a QB coach. Right on! Have I not been saying this is what Darian needs and was sorely missing last year?! Please make it so, Number One!

As well, he will NOT be filling the role of defensive coordinator. Whew! That was something I was worried about right off the top. I hate it when coaches try to do too many things. So kudos for Chamblin for knowing enough to give the reins to someone else. Let's just pray he finds the right someone else. 

And last but not least, there was more enthusiasm in the press conference to announce the new head coach than I've seen at a Rider presser in a long, long time. You could feel it. Excitement crackled in the room. The passion and energy from Coach Chamblin was contagious and it rippled through the organization. He genuinely wants to be here in Saskatchewan.

He compared Saskatchewan to his home state of Alabama. And in the middle of December he wasn't being ironic either! He said it felt like "home".

Isn't that sweet?

So the whole business about coming from the defensive side of the ball, may not be such a detriment when there so many positives.

I've always said nothing is impossible. Impossible just means it's never been done before. Just because something has never been done before, doesn't mean it can't be done. And clearly it can as we have two stellar examples of championship teams being coached by former defensive coordinators turned head coaches.

Judging from Chamblin's resume, the glowing endorsements (from Mike Tomlin no less, holy crap!), and his charismatic presence I believe if any defensive coordinator can make the leap from defense to head coach successfully it's Chamblin.


Heck, after watching the press conference, I was ready to jump on the field and make stuff happen for this guy!

There will be the inevitable comparisons to Marshall, of course, but I think judging from the press conference and the few quotes I've caught from Chamblin's radio interview, I think he blew Marshall out of the water. I think Marshall was still standing on shore with his rubber dingy whining about the water being too cold. In that way, Chamblin might be at a distinct advantage. After all Marshall didn't exactly set the bar very high.

Yeah, it's on folks. Countdown to training camp starts now.

Cheer long. Cheer loud! Go GREEN!