Since firing Khari Jones last month, the top priority for the Ottawa Redblacks has been finding someone competent to replace him as the club’s offensive coordinator.
The search was led by head coach Bob Dyce, as the organization believes firmly in the head coach setting the staff.
Tommy Condell was ultimately hired but not before a wide-ranging search that saw the team interview more than six different people. As finalists began to emerge, further rounds of interviews took place but ultimately a few things swayed things in the 52-year-old Condell’s favour.
First, it was hard for the Redblacks to ignore Condell’s track record of success. Since 2013, the offences he’s been involved with as a coordinator, receivers coach, or quarterbacks coach have made five trips to the Grey Cup. That type of success is hard to ignore and doesn’t happen by accident.
Second, the fact that Condell has worked with all types of quarterbacks — young, old, mobile, and pocket passers — was appealing for a team that hasn’t decided who will be under centre come the start of next season.
A sophomore Dustin Crum could be the guy, as could veteran Jeremiah Masoli once he returns to full health. It could also be someone acquired through free agency.
One of the things the Redblacks insisted upon with all those who interviewed for their vacant offensive coordinator position was that whoever came in needed to tailor their playbook and play-calling to their players’ strengths, instead of trying to fit players into a specific scheme.
Condell’s track record of flexibility and creativity means that he’ll approach the job without trying to implement a rigid playbook and focus more on what his offensive group does well naturally.
Ottawa’s new offensive coordinator will also have a say when it comes to pending free agents the team may re-sign, mainly because it’s been an organizational philosophy of the Redblacks to include and provide all members of the front office an opportunity to communicate their positions on roster moves.
While it remains unclear if Condell will be calling plays from the sidelines or in the booth, as far as R-Nation is concerned, if he can significantly improve upon last season’s league-worst net offence, he could sit beside them in the stands for all they care.
