Jason Maas is standing behind his decision.
On the Eskimos Coach’s Show on 630 CHED Monday night, Maas defended his decision to kick a field goal late in the West Final Sunday in Calgary instead of going for it on third and four from the Calgary 13-yard line in a seven-point game.
The Eskimos got the field goal, but never got the ball back and lost by four.
“I’ve gone over the scenario multiple times since the game ended and I still believe very strongly that’s the way I would go again.”
The second-year head coach, who has been second guessed by fans and media alike since making the decision, is not shying away from anything in the hours after the game.
“Everyone has an opinion and I am fine with people having an opinion. I got into a profession where people can have an opinion on something that you do,” Maas said.
“I accept full responsibility for everything but I’ll stand behind my call and what I felt was best for our football team to get a victory.”
Maas was hoping that the Eskimos defence would get a two and out — they didn’t — to get the ball back in good field position. When the Stampeders did punt with less than 30 seconds left, Jamill Smith fumbled the ball, Calgary recovered and Bo Levi Mitchell lined up in victory formation to take the Stampeders to a second straight Grey Cup game.
Always an aggressive coach, Maas was looking for two scores in the final two minutes to win the game instead of one score in the final two minutes to tie the game.
“That’s what coaches do. When they feel strongly about something they don’t waiver. They do it and then live with the consequences,” said Maas, who had complete confidence his team was going to execute the plan.
“I damn well have confidence in our team to make the play, that’s why I called the situation the way I called it.”
The long off season has arrived for the Eskimos a week sooner than they had hoped, but after some time off Maas says he will get to work with GM Brock Sunderland on getting the 2018 edition of the Eskimos put together. If he has his way, he will be working with the same coaching staff next season.
“I’ve asked all of them to come back. I don’t want to lose anybody. I’m big on continuity,” Maas said.
“I loved the way our coaches the last two years have coached our guys. I hope that it all works out but you never know with the movement in the CFL. Guys get opportunities to go other places but I really hope they all decide to come back.”
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