What's Up With The Bomber's Coach

I haven't heard much from new Blue Bombers Head Coach, Paul LaPolice. I am just fine with that. Since I was old enough to understand, there have been 2 head coaches hired by the Bombers who have made a lot of noise immediately after being hired, Jeff Reinebold and Mike Kelly. We all know how well they did at coaching the Big Blue. They had good intentions but their execution was off. In a business that is all about performance that just doesn't cut it.

The current coach said one thing that matters to me. At the press conference when he was hired he indicated that the organization would be respectful at every level. Other than that, he hasn't said much.

I like this about him. I like that he is working a lot and talking very little. I like that it will be the performance on the field that he wants us to judge him on. I like that he sees his place and wants to do it right.

I do have to admit that as a staunch Bomber fan one of the best parts of the rival Saskatchewan Roughriders has come to Winnipeg, but that's just a bonus. Even if it is a rather good bonus.

The End of an Era .... Again

On December 17, 2009 the Winnipeg Blue Bombers relieved Mike Kelly of his duties as head coach. It was quite the year both on and off the field. I'm not sure how the players feel about this. There has been some reaction in the media. There has been a lot of commentary in the media.

Here's what I know.

When Mike Kelly took over my beloved Bombers about a year ago it had an eerily similar feeling to when Jeff Reinbold took over the Bombers back in the 90's. There was a lot of talk early about how the team is going to be great. It wasn't.

As the season did not go as planned Mike Kelly became more and more confrontational with everyone outside the team and even swore at CJOB Sports Director and Hall of Fame Broadcaster Bob Irving.

It wasn't a good fit.

Maybe he is not meant to be a head coach. There are a lot of people who are really good in the #2 or #3 position but when you make them the boss they do not perform how everyone expected them to. That's part of being human.

So it appears that the Blue Bombers are accepting that they made a mistake. That is definitely a good first step, but now they have to get it together and find a guy that will make positive difference as a head coach.

I can say I was there when, ...., but I wish I couldn't