One of the most recognizable faces in CFL coaching won’t be back on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats sideline next season.
Ticats’ special teams coordinator Jeff Reinebold announced on Twitter that he has declined an offer to return to the team in 2022 and will instead be moving on.
“Hello Ticats family,
There are 2 guarantees in pro football: adversity and change. Change is the energy that fuels growth. Change is coming. I have declined an opportunity to return to the Tiger Cats as Special Teams Coordinator. Every good thing comes to an end, and sadly my time in Hamilton is over.
To Mr. Young, Scott Mitchell, Matt Afinec and every member of the front office, I am grateful for all you have done to build the team into a model CFL franchise. My family and I take away fond memories of our time here and in The Hammer.
When you say goodbye to a friend, someone you’ve built up a large cache of sweat equity with, it’s never easy. Yes, Orlondo Steinauer is an outstanding coach, but there are lots of those. More than that, O is an outstanding person, father, husband, mentor and a shining example of a true transformational leader. I will miss you, your family, and our talks.
To every coach, personnel man, football ops guy, equipment person and video guy I was privileged to work with, THANK YOU for being a great group of people to learn from and laugh with. You made me better and I wish you nothing but great success.
Our players were the highlight of the journey. You have given much, and know I love you guys. I hope we will stay connected and know you can reach out to me anytime for anything. I can never repay the joy you have brought to my family. The bond we share is unbreakable regardless of time, distance or team colours. You are great men. Givers. Warriors.
Tiger-Cats fans, there are no words for the feelings I have for you. Simply amazing. Gameday in The Hammer is like no other because of you. From the Box J Boys to every kid I got to toss the ball to before games, YOU are the Tiger-Cats. YOU are the CFL.
With Aloha and Hau Oli Makahiki Hou, Coach Jeff Reinebold.”
2021 marked Reinebold’s seventh season with the Ticats, helping them make their second straight Grey Cup appearance.
Reinebold has nearly 40 years of coaching experience, including 16 seasons in the CFL.
The 63-year-old Reinebold returned to the Ticats coaching staff in 2019 and led a special teams unit that ranked top-three in the CFL in numerous categories, including first in kick return touchdowns (5), big play returns (19) and opponent kick return touchdowns (0), second in kickoff return average (23.4 yards), opponent punt return average (9.1 yards) and opponent kick return average (20.1 yards), and third in net punting average (36.2 yards).
Under Reinebold’s tutelage, kick returner Frankie Williams won the 2019 John Agro Award as the league’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player and was a CFL all-star, while placekicker Lirim Hajrullahu was named a divisional all-star for the second time in his career.
The South Bend, Indiana native’s CFL resume also includes various roles with the BC Lions (1991-1993, 1996, 2018), Las Vegas Posse (1994) and Edmonton (1995), a two-year stint as head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1997-1998) and one year as defensive coordinator of the Montreal Alouettes in 2012.
