It sounded innovative, parachuting defensive coaches into offensive planning sessions
Published Jan 17, 2024 • Last updated 3 hours ago • 3 minute read
Former Edmonton linebacker J.C. Sherritt is a Roughriders coach and run game co-ordinator for the defence. Photo by Greg Southam /Postmedia
Here’s a journalism tip:
Never be afraid to ask a stupid question. So when the Saskatchewan Roughriders announced a couple days ago head coach Corey Mace had completed hiring his staff of assistants, there was a stupid question that needed to be asked.
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How much time would linebackers coach J.C. Sherritt and secondary coach Josh Bell, two defensive assistants, spend helping offensive co-ordinator Marc Mueller with his game plans?
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That’s what it said on the media release. It said Sherritt was also the run game co-ordinator while Bell was the pass game co-ordinator.
It sounded really innovative, maybe never done before, parachuting defensive coaches into pregame planning sessions to help put together a successful offensive attack. And it seemed somewhat logical because Mueller, who spent nine years coaching offensive players with the Calgary Stampeders before joining Saskatchewan for this upcoming season, was initially hired to be a defensive assistant by his first CFL team.
“No, no, no,” said Mace, laughing even though he was waiting for one of those winter-delayed flights from the Regina International Airport and had already tried once to explain the set-up to the guy who asked the stupid question.
“What I’m trying to tell you is these roles have nothing to do with offence. It’s all specific to defence and implementing the game plans. I’m putting more on their shoulders within the scheme of our defence as it pertains to defending the pass and defending the run.”
Oh, sheesh! How embarrassing!
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Even in the CFL, where there’s a cap that limits the number of coaches and how much teams can spend on football operations, of course nobody would force assistant coaches to spend all that time in defensive meetings plus an equal amount of time in offensive meetings.
We were looking at it from the offensive side of the ball, where the line coach is often the run game co-ordinator and the receivers (or quarterbacks) coach is usually the pass game co-ordinator.
Mace is a defensive guy!
He played defensive tackle and served as a defensive coach and co-ordinator with the Stampeders and Toronto Argonauts before being hired by the Roughriders in November. He’s going to also be Saskatchewan’s defensive co-ordinator this season so, with his extra duties handling in-game strategies as the head coach, he could use some help game-planning his defence. Hence, Sherritt and Bell got the extra titles and responsibilities.
“I’m putting more on their plates because they’re specifically responsible for that,” said Mace. “There will still be lots of work, but not like this.”
OK. With that question answered clearly, there were still a few minutes to ask how Mace put his staff together.
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“Great question,” said Mace.
Ahem!
“I’m always looking for guys who work well together, good people on top of being good leaders and teachers. I have a relationship with a lot of these guys from previous experience. And I love having an environment that people love being around because we put in a lot of hours at the office, so you really gotta enjoy the people you’re around.”
Mace also considered the amount of success his staff had, as coaches and players, and admits that somehow or other he knew every one of the 10 assistants. There are now playbooks to put together, veterans to assess, potential free agents to sign or re-sign and new residences to settle into. At his introductory press conference, Mace said he needed a realtor to help his family find a house in Regina. He found one.
“I set up my man, Jason Clermont,” said Mace. “He’s streamlining everything for us. I told him I want to get settled here as soon as possible. So let’s go!”
Clermont was an all-star slotback for the B.C. Lions before winding down his career with his hometown Roughriders. He’s now a Regina realtor, totally suited for the job as described. And if memory serves, he didn’t like stupid questions.
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