The Search Continues
ESKIMOS CONTINUE SEARCH FOR CO-ORDINATOR
Friday, December 8, 2006 - 03:00PM
Maciocia combs thinning field for experienced offensive coach
By Scott Petersen,
Edmonton Journal
EDMONTON - Coaching candidates fell like dominos around the Canadian Football League this week, but none tumbled into the Edmonton Eskimos' vacant offensive co-ordinator position.
Head coach Danny Maciocia has been working the phones and arranging face-to-face interviews with the three candidates remaining on his list. Kevin Strasser, the former offensive co-ordinator of the Montreal Alouettes, is the latest to set a meeting with Maciocia about the position and is expected in town today.
"We're making a little bit of progress, so we'll see how it all unfolds here," said Maciocia.
Several top candidates spurned the Eskimos and signed elsewhere in recent days, thinning the list of qualified bodies. The Eskimos were rumoured to have been interested in, or already interviewed, several of them.
George Cortez took the offensive job in Calgary and Marcel Bellefeuille did the same in Montreal, moving up the ladder to replace Strasser. Kent Austin has been named head coach of Saskatchewan and Steve Buratto turned down the Eskimos job and doesn't know if he'll coach in 2007 for family reasons.
"Has it been tough?," said Maciocia. "Nah, I mean everybody's interviewing the same people, and some people are making moves because of family reasons and some people, it's because of certain associations with other coaches, and some people don't want to be in a particular province and some people are driven by money.
"So, you have a combination of a few things there and everybody's needs are different, but that's just the way it goes. That's not any different than players, for example."
Maciocia preferred not to divulge the other two names on his list. However, he noted he is still intent on getting someone to take over the offensive duties from him this season so he can fully concentrate on his duties as head coach and director of football operations.
Strasser previously was the Eskimos' receivers coach in 2000 and 2001, working with the likes of Ed Hervey and Terry Vaughn. He left for the same position in Montreal in 2002, and the team's offence set league and team receiving records. They had four players hit the 1,000-yard receiving mark in 2004.
Last year was his first as offensive co-ordinator. His contract wasn't renewed after the season.
Other CFL coaching vacancies still exist in Toronto and Hamilton. Former Saskatchewan head coach Danny Barrett is one of the big names still available.
Maciocia has previously stated he'd like to have his coaching staff set before the Christmas holidays.
"I've always been one that said sooner than later, but at the same time, these are decisions you don't want to rush into and you want to be comfortable with your decision," he said. "So if it takes a couple more days, you should take 'em, because once you make that call, then there's no looking back."
Friday, December 8, 2006 - 03:00PM
Maciocia combs thinning field for experienced offensive coach
By Scott Petersen,
Edmonton Journal
EDMONTON - Coaching candidates fell like dominos around the Canadian Football League this week, but none tumbled into the Edmonton Eskimos' vacant offensive co-ordinator position.
Head coach Danny Maciocia has been working the phones and arranging face-to-face interviews with the three candidates remaining on his list. Kevin Strasser, the former offensive co-ordinator of the Montreal Alouettes, is the latest to set a meeting with Maciocia about the position and is expected in town today.
"We're making a little bit of progress, so we'll see how it all unfolds here," said Maciocia.
Several top candidates spurned the Eskimos and signed elsewhere in recent days, thinning the list of qualified bodies. The Eskimos were rumoured to have been interested in, or already interviewed, several of them.
George Cortez took the offensive job in Calgary and Marcel Bellefeuille did the same in Montreal, moving up the ladder to replace Strasser. Kent Austin has been named head coach of Saskatchewan and Steve Buratto turned down the Eskimos job and doesn't know if he'll coach in 2007 for family reasons.
"Has it been tough?," said Maciocia. "Nah, I mean everybody's interviewing the same people, and some people are making moves because of family reasons and some people, it's because of certain associations with other coaches, and some people don't want to be in a particular province and some people are driven by money.
"So, you have a combination of a few things there and everybody's needs are different, but that's just the way it goes. That's not any different than players, for example."
Maciocia preferred not to divulge the other two names on his list. However, he noted he is still intent on getting someone to take over the offensive duties from him this season so he can fully concentrate on his duties as head coach and director of football operations.
Strasser previously was the Eskimos' receivers coach in 2000 and 2001, working with the likes of Ed Hervey and Terry Vaughn. He left for the same position in Montreal in 2002, and the team's offence set league and team receiving records. They had four players hit the 1,000-yard receiving mark in 2004.
Last year was his first as offensive co-ordinator. His contract wasn't renewed after the season.
Other CFL coaching vacancies still exist in Toronto and Hamilton. Former Saskatchewan head coach Danny Barrett is one of the big names still available.
Maciocia has previously stated he'd like to have his coaching staff set before the Christmas holidays.
"I've always been one that said sooner than later, but at the same time, these are decisions you don't want to rush into and you want to be comfortable with your decision," he said. "So if it takes a couple more days, you should take 'em, because once you make that call, then there's no looking back."
If you think that Barrett would make a good OC on this team, I have serious misgivings about your football knowledge.
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