42 Valuable Years

Paul Klinger veteran Rider fan and sometimes broadcaster likes to point out that the new Saskatchewan Roughrider coaching staff is potentially the best they have had in years and one of the leaders in the CFL in terms of years of CFL coaching experience with a collective total of thirty nine years in the Canadian Football League for the Assistants and when you add in Head Coach Kent Austins three years you come up with a total of 42.

Austin is to be commended for having no hesitation in surrounding himself withe best possible people when you realize that as Head Coach he has the least coaching experience on the staff.There were those that suggested he may align himself with a staff that had lesser experience.however that is not the case as he wants the best possibble people with him who can help him in his head coaching debut and who have connections throughout the football world.There is no denying that this staff have impeccable CFL connections from their previous employment in other cities and as well for five of the assistants their American College coaching experiences.and key connections and contacts are most important when recruiting on field personnel.This staff has a completely new looking offensive set of coaches to go with a veteran defensive side.

Mike Gibson the new Rider Line coach and Assistant Head Coach has the least CFL experience at three years which he picked up while in Winnipeg.Previous to that he spent twenty five years in American College Football.

The Riders new offensive Coordinator Ken Miller has been with the Argos for the last four years and that is where he met Austin and he to has an extensive background in the American College ranks He also Sports one beautiful Grey Cup ring from the Argos Grey Cup victory in 2004.

Paul Lapolice the man hired to replace Tim Kearse as the receivers coach has been in Canada coaching for five years,first in Toronto as the double blues running backs and receivers coach.in 2000 and then he moved on to Winnipeg for two seasons as the offensive coordinator.Hamilton as the receivers coach for the 2004and 2005 seasons was his last stop before coming to Saskatchewan.

The Riders had the best or second best defense in the CFL last year depending on the staistics you look at so if it aint broke dont fix it and to that end three of the four defensive coaches from last year have been brought back into the fold headed up by fourteen year veteran Richie Hall the defensive coordinator who has spent all his CFL years with the Riders and is one of the most respected in the league.Richie also doubles as the defensive secondary coach.

His assistants are the legendary swamp dog from LSU and the Edmonton Eskimos Ron Estay.now in his seventh season in Saskatchewan.who coaches the defensive line which was second only to the BC Lions in Quarterback sacks last year.

The Linebackers and Special teams Coach is Regina,s own Alex Smith who also handles the majority of the teams Canadian College scouting.It will be Smiths seventh year in the CFL coaching ranks all here in Saskatchewan.Special Guest Defensive Assistant coach Bob Vezpiani was not retained from last year.

In addition to all their coaching experience the six Assistants and new head Coach between them have eleven Grey Cup rings indicating they know how to win as well


Once again we say hats off to Kent Austin for putting together a classy experienced hard working staff that has one goal in mind and that is to win that elusive third Grey Cup for Saskatchewan's deserving fans.