Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said thanks but no thanks to the Edmonton Elks.
TSN reporter Farhan Lalji has the details: Some clarity this, Elks did reach out to Bombers for permission to speak to O’Shea about their GM/HC vacancies. O’Shea declined the opportunity to speak to them formally. Will be curious to see if he signs an extension in Wpg.
The Elks are looking to hire a new head coach and general manager after firing Jaime Elizondo and Brock Sunderland along with president Chris Presson following a 3-11 season that saw them finish last in the West Division. Hall of Fame head coach and general manager Wally Buono is leading the search as a consultant.
After leading the Bombers to an 11-3 record and their best winning percentage since 1961, O’Shea was named the CFL’s Coach of the Year for the 2021 season. It was a near perfect follow up to his improbable Grey Cup win in 2019, which was made sweeter by winning the title in back-to-back seasons.
In seven seasons with Winnipeg, O’Shea has posted a 67-55 regular season record and he’s gone 6-3 in the playoffs. He leads active head coaches in career wins with 67 and is tied with Rick Campbell among active head coaches in games coached at 122. He remains second in franchise history with 67 wins, behind only Bud Grant at 102.
With a second straight Grey Cup victory, the Hall of Fame linebacker-turned-coach has started a dynasty in Winnipeg. O’Shea has one year remaining for the 2022 season on his current contract.
