WINNIPEG – Among the field of fresh faces, there’s a familiar fellow.
Paul LaPolice is back behind the Winnipeg Blue Bombers bench – his third stint with the team. He was brought in as the offensive coordinator during the off-season to fix a unit, which last year scored a CFL worst 353 points.
“We’re trying to teach what kind of effort we want to play with,” said LaPolice. “I think we’ve really established that since rookie camp.”
RELATED: LaPolice calls it a “dream” to return to the Blue Bombers
LaPolice led Winnipeg to the 2011 Grey Cup as a head before being fired the following year. He was also let go by the Bombers in 2003 after two seasons as an assistant coach.
“This is something I missed a lot,” said LaPolice. “Being able to communicate with players and see them have success later in the day.”
So far, the Bombers are impressed.
“He goes home and pours over film,” said head coach Mike O’Shea. “He’s doing it here. He’s doing it on the drive to and from home. He’s always thinking about football.”
But it’s not just the Bombers who are happy, LaPolice is back on the case. Fans showed their love for the coach on social media when he was hired by the organization in December. Even the city’s mayor welcomed him home on Twitter.
“I think people have a fondness,” said LaPolice. “I’ve always been community first as well as a good football coach.”
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