There is a growing trend amongst CFL teams to promote and grow former star players to high coaching roles. In the coming year three former stars, Dave Dickenson, Marcus Crandell, and Khari Jones will become Offensive coordinators for Calgary, Edmonton, and Hamilton respectively.
All these players have worked for it, starting from bottom coaching levels within organizations and working their way up. Dickenson last year was the Stampeders QB coach and look what he did with Henry Burris. Most of all Burris's stats from 2009 to 2010 improved (Highlights- 22TDs to 38TDs, QB rating 88 to 102, and completion pct 59 to 66) and Oh he happened to win the CFL's most coveted award, the league’s "Most Outstanding Player" award. You can also see the improvement in Kevin Glenn's game under the tutelage of Jones. Teams willing to take the chance on player coaches are not only investing in proven winners, but they are creating a unique marketing opportunity. Fans love to see their former fav CFL players back on the sidelines!
Enter Ottawa in 2013, who should they have as their head coach? Well that's still up in the air and I'm sure Jeff Hunt is working on it. However, the players I'd love to see back on the sidelines helping the next Ottawa team are Kerry Joseph and Pat Woodcock. During their time as Renegades they were fan favourites, so why not bring them back to help create a little more buzz for the new Canadian team? Seems like a no brainer. The point I'm neglecting is whether or not Joseph and Woodcock would even be interested in a coaching role. Turns out they are!
Take it for what it's worth but in a recent twitter conversation I had with Kerry Joseph I asked if he'd ever be interested in a coaching position for the new Ottawa team? He answered with "I would have to see where things are in my life when that time comes. It wouldn't be a bad idea to coach where I started". I also asked Woodcock and he said he would definitely be interested in a strength and condition coach job!
Dear Jeff Hunt, sign these guys!
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