Craig Dickenson will not be back as head coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders for the 2024 season.
The 52-year-old was on an expiring contract and was not offered a new deal to return next year. At the same time, the Green and White announced in a news release (below) that they have agreed to a contract extension with vice president of football operations and general manager Jeremy O’Day, who was on an expiring deal. The length of the contract wasn’t announced. The team finished the regular season this past weekend with a 6-12 record, missing the playoffs for a second consecutive year. Massive player changes are expected for 2024 as the Roughriders had a season-ending roster that boasts 37 potential free agents. Injured quarterback Trevor Harris and Canadian receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker are among the few notables not listed…
DATE: October 23, 2023
RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE: SR23-135
O’Day’s contract renewed, Dickenson will not return
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have announced that Head Coach Craig Dickenson will not have his contract renewed.
Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Jeremy O’Day has agreed to a new contract.
2024 will mark O’Day’s 26th season in Green and White and his sixth year as the Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager. Over his time as General Manager, the Roughriders have brought in many high-calibre players including 1,000-yard receiver Shawn Bane Jr. during free agency, and 1,000-yard receiver Samuel Emilus in the 2022 CFL Draft. O’Day has also scouted and signed CFL stars such as quarterback Trevor Harris, wide receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker, defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr., linebacker Larry Dean, running back Jamal Morrow and punter Adam Korsak. In addition, four of his 2023 draft selections spent time on the active roster this season, including Lake Korte-Moore, Jaxon Ford, Thomas Bertrand-Hudon and Matt Dean.
“Jeremy has an excellent track record of identifying and bringing in quality talent to the Saskatchewan Roughriders with many players having gone on to have successful seasons including two 1,000-yard receivers in 2023,” said Roughriders President and CEO Craig Reynolds. “I am confident in his ability to find the next great Head Coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and to put together a team Rider Nation can be proud of.”
O’Day began his career as a Roughrider player in 1999 and joined the football operations staff in 2011. He’s won two Grey Cups 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.
“I want to thank Coach Dickenson for everything he has given to the Saskatchewan Roughriders over his ten years in Green and White. From his time as Special Teams Coordinator to his five seasons as a Head Coach, he gave all he had to the team and did it with kindness and respect,” said O’Day. “We appreciate his hard work and dedication and wish him all the best moving forward.”
