EDMONTON – The Grey Cup champion Edmonton Eskimos haven’t hired a new head coach yet but general manager Ed Hervey cautioned interested parties to “stay close.”
Hervey met with the media Thursday to update his search for a replacement for Chris Jones, who left to become general manager and head coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
“The coaching search has been underway for the last several days and will continue through the next week or so, with the expectation to have a decision within the next couple of weeks,” Hervey said.
The Eskimos GM also said he’s looking forward to finishing the process, but gave no idication as to who he has spoken to or will be interviewing for the position other than to say that no current or former Eskimo coaches are on his list of potential hires.
“In no way do I feel rushed to make a decision,” Hervey said. “I want to make sure it is the right decision for our organization, for the players and for our opportunity going forward.”
Hervey, who added he has not been refused permission to speak to any candidate he is interested in, said there’s no real difference looking for a head coach when the team is 4-14, as it was when he hired Jones two years ago, or Grey Cup champions.
“I heard something about that. I received permission to speak to Orlondo Steinauer. You can’t believe what you read, guys,” he chuckled when asked about getting permission from other teams.
Steinauer, currently the defensive co-ordinator for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Ottawa Redblacks assistant coach Jason Maas, a former Eskimos quarterback, are two names that have been mentioned in connection with the job.
Hervey stressed that personal relationships will not factor into his decision and said he went into the search with no one individual in mind.
“I’m equal opportunity,” he said. “I know there’s lots of speculation. There’s lots of different names coming out but there is no front-runner for this position. I’m going to pick the right person. I have no allegiance to friendship or anything like that.”
One of the requirements for the new head coach will be to bring his own coaching staff, just as it was when Hervey hired Jones.
“That’s part of the interview process, talking about who your staff will be, the different individuals, who’s going to co-ordinate offence, defence, (special) teams, player development and also being able to relate to players,” Hervey said. “Today’s players are no different from years ago. You have to be able to manage personalities as well. That all factors into this coaching decision.”
There has been some speculation that some of the Eskimos free agents might follow Jones to Regina but Hervey said he doesn’t anticipate that happening.
“We have a good thing going here,” he said. “Players who are going to want to leave, those guys would leave anyway. Teams change from year to year regardless.”
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