Riders to name Craig Dickenson head coach

Screenshot courtesy: Saskatchewan Roughriders

The Saskatchewan Roughriders will name Craig Dickenson as head coach, per sources.

The Riders have called a press conference for the official announcement at 3 p.m. eastern time on Friday.

Saskatchewan interviewed four candidates for the job, Dickenson, current offensive coordinator Stephen McAdoo, Mike Benevides and one mystery person.

Dickenson is the older brother of Dave Dickenson, who has compiled a 41-11-2 regular season record in three seasons including winning the 2018 Grey Cup as the Calgary Stampeders bench boss.

Dickenson has been the Riders special teams coordinator for the past three seasons. Under Dickenson’s guidance in 2018, the green and white tied a franchise record with four return touchdowns.

Meanwhile Canadian kicker Brett Lauther had a resurgent campaign making 54-of-60 three-point tries (90 per cent) including a long of 56 which led to West Division all-star honours. The 47-year-old’s return units led the league in total yardage (3,028), long gain returns (13) and the cover teams were strong.

Dickenson has spent 16 seasons in the CFL with the Riders, Edmonton Eskimos, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Calgary Stampeders and Montreal Alouettes, 13 as a special teams coordinator. He has NFL experience with the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders.

Dickenson is the first special teams coordinator since Mike O’Shea in 2014 to make the transition to head coach.

Dickenson was a kicker for the University of Montana during his collegiate playing days.