Inside the CFL: The air is getting thin and stale atop the Stampeders

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on October 3, 2024.

sports@medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

With the Calgary Stampeders likely to miss the playoffs for the first time in 18 years, it is only natural that all facets of the organization are under the microscope including the fate of general manager and head coach Dave Dickenson.

Since combining the jobs in 2022, the team’s record is 10-21-1. Although not unusual in the Canadian Football League, I know of no team in the NFL, NBA, NHL or Major League baseball where one individual combines both jobs.

The goal of every CFL team is to win the Grey Cup. Let’s take a look at how those who hold both positions have done in bringing Lord Earl Grey’s mug home.

The list is small.

Carl Voyles did it in 1953, leading his Ti-Cats to a 12-6 Grey Cup win over Winnipeg.

Don Matthews was the head coach and general manager in Toronto when the Doug Flutie led Argos beat Edmonton 43-27 in a snow storm.

The Westerners’ head coach was Ron Lancaster who held the title of head coach and director of football operations when Hamilton defeated Calgary 32-21 in 1999.

But Neil Lumsden was actually the general manager and Mike McCarthy handled personnel so Ronnie could concentrate on coaching. The only others to do it were John Hufnagel and Wally Buono.

Hufnagel won Grey Cups with Calgary in 2008 and 2014, against Montreal and Hamilton.

Buono had Grey Cup championships with the Stamps in 1992, 1998 and 2001 while losing the big game in 1991 and 1995. He also won it all with B.C. in 2006 and 2011.

But that’s all.

Only Hufnagel and Buono did it over a long period of time. The other three Voyles, Matthews and Lancaster, once.

Edmonton, Winnipeg, Saskatchewan, Montreal and Ottawa have never done it, and, as I mentioned, Toronto only once.

The Boatmen have 18 titles, Edmonton 14. The Blue Bombers a dozen. Each of those franchises have had great genera managers such as Norm Kimball and Hugh Campbell with the Elks, Cal Murphy in Winnipeg, Jim Popp in Montreal, Ralph Sazio in Toronto.

The game is a lot more complicated than it used to be. In previous years, teams had access to a lot more quality American talent than now.

The 1966 and 1989 Roughriders brought in late NFL cuts like Ed McQuarters and Kent Austin to solidify their championship runs. Edmonton Hall of Famer Dan Kepley was the final player released by the Dallas Cowboys in 1975. He led his team defensively to seven Grey Cup games, winning six.

Other than former CFLers like Nathan Rourke and Als’ Austin Mack who returned to their teams after failing to make the NFL, there have been no dramatic last cuts added to CFL teams. (Time to reduce the number of imports and play more Canadians).

In Calgary, former great offensive lineman Jay McNeil is the president who oversees the entire operation and reports to the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation, owner of the Flames and Stampeders.

Working with GM Dickenson is assistant general manager and director of player personnel Brendan Mahoney who has been with the team for 18 years. Cole Hufnagel is in charge of U.S. scouting. His father John is advisor/consultant and has enormous influence with ownership. So Dickenson has help but he still has to spend a lot of time on stuff that detracts from the time he can devote to coaching. When Chris Jones concentrated only on coaching, his Edmonton team won the Grey Cup in 2015. Since combining all the positions in Saskatchewan and up north he was unsuccessful. Now with Hamilton he has one job, defensive coordinator, and the Cats have found another life.

Dickenson’s special teams coordinator and assistant coach , Lethbridge native Mark Kilam has been with the club 20 years, his defensive coordinator Brent Monson 15 seasons, offensive coordinator Pat DelMonaco , 11. John Hufnagel still likes to occasionally provide input on coaching decisions.

I think Dave Dickenson is a great coach. But that side of the operation has grown stale. I think he should relinquish his coaching duties and concentrate on being the general manager.

Yes, continuity is essential to winning. With the exception of Michael Feterik’s reign, Dec. 2001 to 2004, the Stamps have been the model franchise of the CFL since 1990.

It’s time for a breath of fresh air.

Graham Kelly has covered the CFL for the Medicine Hat News for 52 years. Feedback for this column can be emailed to sports@medicinehatnews.com.