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David wrote:Again though, Clements (if they are indeed going after him) could turn into a freaking genius hire. We don't know. My point was that it comes with considerable risk (despite his pedigree) because he's never been a Head Coach. Unfortunately, at this stage, "risk" and "Argos" are as dangerous as "gas" and "fire." Their primary GOAL should be to become a stable, winning franchise. Dominant perhaps in 5 years.

If they're going to offer Clements the coach AND GM job (which might be the only way they could get him to come north and offer the type of money he'd be seeking), that's even riskier. That's a lot to take on for someone (basically) new to the league.

Past transgressions aside, Eric Tillman has a history of turning around franchises and is very well connected down south. He'd be my choice for GM. He's also good at that "corporate speak" that Copeland and Tanen-Bell like. I'd either shoot for Trestman or hire Chamblin as HC. Both have Grey Cup rings.

DH

Qman wrote:tillman is GM in Hamilton. Can't talk to anyone employed by another CFL club after Jan31 (3 days way) per CFL rules

Hambone wrote:Never been a HC and never been a GM other than his AFL stint nearly 20 years ago. It comes across as less than an optimal combination considering he lacks experience in those positions, is 30 years removed from the CFL and turns 64 in training camp. I feel that in hiring Clements the Argos could be falling in that old trap of hiring a name in hopes of selling tickets as opposed to landing a bright guy on the upswing in his career who can not just see through building a stable winning, franchise but to continue steering the ship beyond 4 or 5 years before seriously looking to retire.

David wrote:These next two hires for the Argos (assuming it's not one person to become head coach and GM - a serious mistake for someone not named Hufnagel or Buono) are absolutely critical. Not to overstate things, but with the state of this franchise being what it is, there is almost no margin for error.

That is why Tom Clements is a risky hire IMHO. Lots of NFL experience, but as QB coach and OC. None as the head man, and while he played a number of years in Canada, it was a long time ago and that doesn't always translate (for Exhibit A, I present "Tedford, Jeff").

I get what Copeland, Tanenbaum and Bell may be trying to do here: sign someone with cache and name recognition in the Toronto market to gain some traction and 'big league' acceptance. But I would warn them to tread very carefully here. CFL experience trumps all. Not saying someone can't step in from the outside and do wonders. Trestman worked out perfectly. But then again, he had Anthony Calvillo and a stacked line-up, not Drew Willy and a team coming off a 5-13 season. If it were me, I would take the less risky, proven option of Eric Tillman as GM, and Corey Chamblin as HC, with Tommy Condell as the OC.


DH

DanoT wrote:They are saying over at ArgoFans that the Argos will announce within 24 hours that former CFL QB and until just recently Green Bay OC, Tom Clements will be the new Argo GM/HC, at $1 Million/year for 5 years. If this is true then I take back any negative comments, criticism, or thoughts that I had about Michael Copeland.

David wrote:

The_Pauser wrote:I don't think this is really comparable to Tedford. Tedford had a lot of experience as a head coach in the college ranks. That's the same approach he took to coaching a pro team, and that angered a lot of players. They simply didn't want to play for him because he treated them like kids with ridiculous curfews, hours of video, and such a high tempo practice that they were often fatigued by game time.

That is a fair point. Tedford may not be a slam-dunk comparable to Clements. Tedford coached really young men and thought his leadership techniques could translate to the pros (it didn't). However, one could argue that at least he has the title of Head Coach on his resume. Brilliant offensive or defensive strategist don't always make Head Coaching material. Rich Stubler is a purrfect example. Let's not forget a big source of frustration for Tedford (as it could well be for Clements) is the budget restrictions in our league. We simply don't have the seemingly unlimited resources up here that they're availed down south.

This is not to say Clements will fail. I am just calling it "risky." The larger point was just that Copeland has virtually no margin for error to turn things around in Toronto. I hate to contemplate the risks of a bad hire and continued losing. If I'm Copeland and am picking right now between a "cache" signing that makes headlines and gets the attention of the market vs "proven winner," I'd have to opt for "proven winner." But that's just me.


DH