By: Justin Boone
jboone@ticats.ca
Making A Mountaineer Out Of A Molehill
It’s been a tumultuous start to the off-season for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats head coach Charlie Taaffe, who was, is, and will be calling the shots from the sidelines at Ivor Wynne Stadium in 2008.
From the moment the first reports surfaced about Charlie being in West Virginia, visiting his old pal and new Mountaineers head coach Bill Stewart, the assumption was made that the Tabbies coach was packing up his headset and signing on to be their offensive coordinator.
What we know now are that the initial reports of his death (at least in the eyes of Steeltown fans) were wildly exaggerated by West Virginia media outlets and subsequently by local reporters.
“The motivation for this was not to find another job,” Charlie explained. “This was a call put into me by a good friend that got the big break of his life.”
Taking over a Top 10 program in the NCAA… yeah that’s not a bad situation for Bill Stewart to find himself in. And for Charlie to find out that Stewart was considering him for the post of OC, it was obvious that he needed to hear him out, in part because it would be rude to ignore a friend, and in part because it is a very prestigious offer.
Charlie himself admitted that no matter how much success he enjoyed throughout his career, last year took its toll on his pride.
“When you’re 3-15, you have a lot of doubts and the shine kind of wears off your penny real fast,” he expressed on Monday morning.
“It’s always nice to have other options or to have something to consider, and as I went through that process, it just kept coming up that my work here’s not done,” said the former CFL Coach of the Year.
After getting only four chances to celebrate in his inaugural campaign in Hamilton (three victories and the signing of Casey Printers), Taaffe is dedicated to leading the Ticats back into the playoffs.
“It’s a bottom line business, it’s about winning, it’s about being the best, it’s about excellence and that’s why I’m here,” he said confidently. “At the end of the day one of the things that motivated me even more is to finish this thing. I’m embarrassed about being 3-15. I’ve got pride in what I do and I’m not walking away from anything. We’re going to finish this thing and we’re going to get it turned around.”
In new general manager Bob O’Billovich, the team has accomplished goal number one, which is finding someone who can locate and lure talent to the Hammer. His track record speaks for itself, but it isn’t until you talk to him directly that you get a feel for his ability to assess players.
With Obie’s experience and knowledge, Charlie is already in a better position heading into his sophomore season in Ticat-land, and he can feel good in knowing that his services were desired by one of the best football programs in the NCAA. Not to mention, a renewed harmony among the members of the Ticats Front Office and Football Operations.
“I think as a result of this we are more closely aligned then at any time,” he stated. “I feel the commitment now from the top down.”
So welcome back Charlie, even though you never really left. And if your in-season decisions are covered by the media as enthusiastically as they have been in the off-season, then it should be an exciting 2008 for the Black and Gold, on the field and in the press box.
What did you think about the way the last week of events unfolded? Let me know by e-mailing me at jboone@ticats.ca
Easier Said Than Done
(Quote of the Week)
“Sorry to make you guys have to work so hard in the off-season.”
Coach Taaffe’s first comment to the media, as he sat down for the press conference Monday morning to address the erroneous reports of his departure from the Tiger-Cats.
In Case You Blinked
(News from the Week)
The Toronto Argonauts signed a pair of CIS standouts, on Tuesday, in linebacker Eric Maranda of the Laval Rouge et Or and offensive lineman Scott Evans of Wilfrid Laurier. The two Canadians should continue to represent a long line of CIS players that have gone on to successful CFL careers.
