Riders exec starts job with big task at hand

Jeremy O’Day knows the traits he’s looking for in the new head coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

What O’Day doesn’t know is who will fill that role. That’s to be expected considering O’Day was only officially introduced as the Riders’ vice-president of football operations and general manager at Mosaic Stadium on Friday.

He replaces Chris Jones, who was the Riders’ vice-president of football operations, general manager, head coach and defensive coordinator. Jones bolted the Riders on Tuesday for a position as a senior defensive assistant with the NFL’s Cleveland Browns.

O’Day said he wants to hire a head coach who can get the attention of the players, coach the coaches and hold people accountable. He didn’t rule out looking within the Riders organization for the right candidate and is open to an offensive- or defensive-minded head coach.

“We’re going to find the best head coach whether he has an offensive, defensive or special-teams background,” O’Day said. “We’ll determine that as we go through the process. I’m not going to zero in on one side of the ball.”

O’Day said he’s already had many recommendations for head-coaching candidates.

“It’s important to understand that there are a lot of coaches that would want this job,” O’Day said. “There’s a lot of interest in this position and they know our current position with the coaching

It’s important to understand that there are a lot of coaches that would want this job. There’s a lot of interest.

staff. It has been an interesting two days. There isn’t any doubt in my mind that not only will we get a good head coach, but the right head coach for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.”

O’Day hasn’t set a time frame other than he would like to have the process completed as soon as possible.