Moves were made Tuesday by the Saskatchewan Roughriders, but not to the extent that some in Riderville expected or wanted.
Following a dismal 6-12 campaign, in which the Green and White lost their last seven games and 11 of the final 13 outings, the Riders announced that General Manager Jeremy O’Day and Head Coach Craig Dickenson will both return for the final year of their respective contracts in 2023. However, Offensive Coordinator Jason Maas has been relieved of his duties while Run Game Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach Stephen Sorrells and Receivers Coach Travis Moore will not have their contracts renewed.
Meanwhile, there was positive news out of Rider Nation today when the Division finalists for the 2022 C-F-L Awards were announced and Saskatchewan kick returner Mario Alfred was named the Western Conference nominee for Most Outstanding Special Teams Player. His opponent will be Montreal kick returner Chandler Worthy. The C-F-L’s awards banquet will be held November 17 in Regina. Following are the news releases from the Roughriders…..
DATE: November 1, 2022
RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE: SR22-154
FOOTBALL OPERATIONS MEDIA AVAILABILITY
The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced Tuesday that Offensive Coordinator Jason Maas has been relieved of his duties. Run Game Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach Stephen Sorrells and Receivers Coach Travis Moore will not have their contracts renewed.
Craig Dickenson will return in 2023 for his fifth season as the head coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders after being named the Club’s 47th Head Coach on January 19th, 2019. With Dickenson at the helm the Club has posted a 28-22 record, hosted two home playoff games, won the first playoff game in new Mosaic Stadium on November 27, 2021, and in 2019 led the team to first place in the West Division for the first time a decade. He was also the 2019 West Division nominee for Coach of the Year.
“Craig is an excellent coach, a strong leader and truly represents the values of the Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club,” said Vice President of Football Operations Jeremy O’Day. “Throughout his last four seasons I have watched as he worked hard to bring out the best in our players on and off the field. I know he is committed as I am to bring a championship caliber team to the field in 2023.”
O’Day will also return for his 25th season with the Roughriders and fifth year as the Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager. O’Day began his career as a Roughrider player in 1999 and joined the football operations staff in 2011. He is a three-time Grey Cup Champion, winning two in Saskatchewan – one as player in 2007 and one as Assistant General Manager in 2013. He was named Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager on January 18, 2019, after 22 years in Green and White.
“Jeremy is a lifelong Roughrider, who cares deeply about the success of the organization and knows firsthand what success means to our fan base,” said Reynolds. “He is a proven winner throughout his career, and I wholeheartedly believe he has the talent, knowledge and vision to move forward and build a winning team in 2023.”
Both Dickenson and O’Day are under contract with the Club through the 2023 season.
DATE: November 1, 2022
RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE: SR22-153
SUPER MARIO ALFORD IS THE WEST DIVISION’S MOST OUTSTANDING SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are pleased to announce that Mario Alford has been named the 2022 West Division nominee for Most Outstanding Special Teams Player.
The nomination caps off a sensational, history-making season for Alford after joining the Roughriders via trade in Week 5. His Week 20 punt return on against Calgary Stampeders saw him become the fifth player in CFL history and first-ever Rider to complete the ‘Trifecta’ (kick return touchdown, punt return touchdown, missed field goal return touchdown) in a single season, in addition to breaking the Roughriders’ record for most return touchdowns by an individual in a single season (4).
Alford made an immediate impact on special teams for the Riders, taking a missed field goal by the Argonauts 112-yards to the house in just his second game in Green and White. This season, he recorded 43 punt returns for 524 yards (12.2 avg) and one touchdown, 37 kickoff returns for 937 yards (25.3 avg) and two touchdowns, and three missed field goal returns for 129 yards (43 avg) and another major. An electric athlete, Alford had a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown in Week 10 against the Elks and a 92-yard kickoff return touchdown versus the Blue Bombers in Week 14. His league-leading fourth and final return of the year – the 104-yard punt return in Week 20 against the Stampeders, cemented his place in the history books.
The East and West award winners were selected by members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) and CFL head coaches. Voters were asked to select candidates from their local CFL division who, through on-field performance excellence, best represent the awards’ title.
The winner will be announced at the 2022 CFL Awards on Thursday, November 17th at the Conexus Arts Centre as part of the festivities for the 109th Grey Cup. Tickets are available at greycupfestival.ca.
