Moffat: Alouettes Move on Without Trestman
MontrealAlouettes.com
Alouettes might look local for next head coach
15
Posted: January 23, 2013 03:30 PM
Updated: January 23, 2013 05:50 PM
THE CANADIAN PRESS
MONTREAL -- The Alouettes may be the next Montreal sports team with a bilingual coach.
Candidates to replace Marc Trestman will be headed to Florida for interviews this week, the CFL team announced Wednesday.
Team owner Bob Wetenhall said in a statement that the criteria for the new coach were to strive for a winning team, to be involved in the community and to work at "institutionalizing the franchise in Montreal.
"In this process we are paying special attention to reviewing possible candidates from Quebec as well as other candidates from Canada, especially those who are bilingual,'' he added. "In the end, I will select the candidate whom I believe is best qualified to continue with our mission.''
Reports have said bilingual candidates may include former Edmonton Eskimos coach and GM and current University of Montreal coach Danny Maciocia, Laval University coach Glen Constantin and B.C. Lions offensive co-ordinator Jacques Chapdelaine.
Sports betting website Bodog has Maciocia and Constantin listed as the co-favourites to take the job at 2-1. Former Winnipeg coach Paul LaPolice, who is not bilingual, is next at 5-2. Former Alouettes receiver Ben Cahoon is a longshot at 20-1.
Some preliminary interviews have already been held for the Alouettes job and others will follow at Wetenhall's winter home in Palm Beach, Fla., at the end of this week.
They will "continue into the following weeks until the successful candidate is selected,'' the statement said. "These interviews will take place with the owner as well as with general manager Jim Popp.''
Trestman, a Minneapolis native, got his first NFL head coaching job when he signed with the Chicago Bears last week. In five seasons in Montreal, he took the team to three Grey Cup games, winning twice.
Wetenhall and Popp worked together to find the Alouettes' last two coaches, Don Matthews and Trestman.
They started with 40 to 50 names and have whittled that down.
"We are now getting down to the final list of candidates and will be inviting them for interviews in a short time frame,'' said Popp.
Toronto Argonauts defensive co-ordinator Chris Jones pulled himself out of the running this week by signing a contract extension with the Grey Cup champions.
The Trestman hiring in 2007 was a total surprise. And his success showed even a coach with no experience of Canadian football can win games.
Fan Comments
wild horse
Hi "Als Rule" ! Let's talk Alouette Football. Do you think A.C. can still Win the Big One ? I think he's alright as long as everything is working smoothly, but if something is a bit off on the play, LOOKOUT !!
January 27, 2013 - 10:24pm
wild horse
MarkVan, Oh Yes, NFL players often name their H.S. as their Alma Mater(never having spent much time getting a degree). The U.S. of A. is a Football Factory or Ranch. We know this. We're talking about CANADIAN Football here. It's about how to continue to develop a unique and entertaining Canadian Game. What's your big issue anyway? Why the big Hate-On for things Canadian? Why not put on a big, striped Top Hat, start singing "I'm a Yankee-Doodle Wanna-Be", and knock yourself out. Why trouble yourself with such inferiors? Go to the Florida High School website. I don't have to go to Fla. MarkVan - anybody with even a tiny knowledge of Football knows the Universite Laval Football Team would seriously kick some H.S. butt. OMG!! Even if they're from TEXAS !!!??
January 26, 2013 - 2:08pm
MarkVan
The facts are the facts. Do either of you ever watch large program US high-school football. There are players playing in US HS football that are a single year removed from starting for big time NCAA programs. There are no skill position players playing college football in Canada that can start for a major conference team in the US. The quality of QB play in Canadian college football is mostly atrocious. They couldn't make a roster cut for most Division II schools in the US. How many Canadian college QB's have recently been long time starters in the CFL? I think we all know the answer to that. I do not know how coaching against that talent level at QB prepares someone to coach professional football.
January 26, 2013 - 8:41am
wild horse
Trestman really is a special guy. Here's hoping we don't lose Jim Popp, too. We'd be looking at a complete rebuild at the top. I'd prefer a coach who already knows the Canadian game, and I'm impressed by Constantin. But also, how many big games has A.C. got left in him? We're going to need a Plan B someday soon. Just pray for a season without devastating injuries. That's why the best 2 teams were NOT in the Grey Cup last year. Really hoping the young stars (Whitaker, London, etc.) return to form.
January 26, 2013 - 2:17am
als rule
chicago bears HC mark trestman hires montreal alouettes' OL coach pat meyer to be the bears assistant OL coach!! since the end of the CFL season montreal has lost 1 HC trestman, 1 OL coach, 1 DL coach, 1 STC, (all to chicago bears NFL), 1 OC (toronto argonauts CFL), fired 1 DB coach who was also the DC(jeff reinebold) and finally losing assistant GM desjardins to the new ottawa club as there next GM and the off season isn't over yet!!
January 25, 2013 - 5:59pm
wild horse
Hey "Als Rule", I'm back here for you. I needed a new password. Als are making the right signings. Sadly, I think Brian Bratten is gone. Ihekwoaba, is a kid who has a huge upside. "MarkVan's" evaluation of Florida High School Football proves he should go back and try to graduate. I pass on Macioca, Chapdelaine, and LaPolice. I like Glen Constantin, who has built a 10 year dynasty in Laval.
January 25, 2013 - 12:47pm
als rule
LARKSTER!!
January 25, 2013 - 6:07pm
als rule
alouettes re-up C DE chima Ihekwoaba to a 3 year extension of his contract!!
January 24, 2013 - 8:25pm
tabbiefanmcb
The proof (of the success of the new HC) will be in the pudding - or in the product on the field! I wouldn't jump up and down for joy for Maccocia and likely not for LaPolice or Chapdelaine.
January 24, 2013 - 11:33am
als rule
excuse me or might not!! danny maciocia, jacques chapdelaine, paul lapolice are bums and will hold the club back. ben cahoon is just nonsense!! if any french/english speaking canadian is the front runner it's laval U's glen constantin!!
January 23, 2013 - 9:50pm
MarkVan
You are kidding me? You've really got to be. There are high-school coaches in Florida, Texas, and California that coach more talented players against more talented teams that Laval. It is nothing like coaching any level of professional football. I was never a big fan of Maciocia but Chapdelaine and LaPolice are both better prepared the Glen Constantin.
January 24, 2013 - 2:34am
als rule
absolutely insane comment!!
January 24, 2013 - 9:24am
argofan4life31
of course cuz he doesn't agree with your nonsense
January 24, 2013 - 7:48pm
Draft Tracker
| Pick | Team | Pos | Player |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tiger-Cats | DL | Gaydosh, Linden |
| 2 | Blue Bombers | DE | Mulumba, Andy |
| 3 | Alouettes via EDM | LB | Edem, Mike |
| 4 | Roughriders | OL | Watman, Corey |
| 5 | Alouettes | RB | Lumbala, Steven |
| 6 | Lions | OL | Steward, Hunter |
| 7 | Stampeders | OL | Craighead, Brander |
| 8 | Argonauts | OL | Sewell, Matthew |
| 9 | Ottawa | OL | MacMillan, Nolan |
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