When Jason Maas lost his job as offensive coordinator for the Saskatchewan Roughriders on 1er November, he did not expect to find himself head coach of the Montreal Alouettes a little less than two months later.
But he was hoping to get the call from Danny Maciocia.
“Knowing the situation of Danny, who did not want to return as head coach (in 2023), and the fact that we have a good relationship, him and I, I expected to receive a call, he said. during a press conference organized in a hotel in downtown Montreal. In fact, I was hoping to receive one: I love leading a football team. But I didn’t think I would be chosen at that time. »
Maciocia, whose team was still involved in the Canadian Football League playoffs at the time, took note of the availability of the one he managed with the Edmonton Eskimos and with whom he won two Gray Cups. If the former quarterback did not automatically become his number 1 candidate, he was already at the top of the list.
“I would say that it was a candidate among the top 2 or 3, admitted the general manager, who did not want to reveal the duration of the contract granted to the 27e head coach of the Alouettes. There is a history between us: I led him, I saw his leadership qualities in the locker room. Everyone talks about Ricky Ray, who is in the Hall of Fame today, to explain our two Gray Cups in 2003 and 2005, but without Jason Maas, we don’t win these championships. He was a unifier. That’s what made the difference. […] I’ve seen his journey and I think he’s going to take us where we deserve to be in the next few years. »
The Alouettes had published the list of five finalists for the position of head coach. In addition to Maas, André Bolduc, Noel Thorpe, Anthony Calvillo and Byron Archambault were interviewed. Maciocia ensures that the dice were not loaded.
“I’ve had interviews in my career, even with this organization. When you walk into an interview, you know if it’s a sincere interview or not. To ask permission from a team or call someone and have them come into the office for a two or three hour interview knowing before they start the interview that they are out of luck, I consider that as a lack of respect. I lived it, here as elsewhere. […] All the interviews were authentic and sincere, ”assured the head of football operations.
Of the lot, four decided to stay to accompany Maas. Archambault was even promoted to assistant head coach. But Maciocia confirmed that André Bolduc, who acted as assistant head coach and running backs coach, has decided to leave the organization to try his luck in Saskatchewan.
“I had a very good conversation with André,” Maciocia said. He’s a guy I’ve coached, coached against at the college level, and watched grow within the organization. He had reached a stage in his career where he wanted to experience something else. He told me that I had done it (going into exile) and that it had been good for me. […] We wanted to keep him, but a great opportunity presented itself to him. I wish him good luck. »
“The four candidates had talent, added the dg I know that we talk a lot about André and I can understand why. He spent eight or nine years in the organization as an assistant and did a very good job. The same can be said of Noel Thorpe and Anthony Calvillo. Another one who had an excellent interview, and I’m not that surprised, is Byron Archambault. There are a few in there who are going to be head coaches in the future. But when you review all the candidates I interviewed and all the research I did, by far the best candidate was Jason Maas. »
Although he wanted to keep the core of coaches in place, Maciocia gave carte blanche to Maas, who contacted everyone. Several are already under contract, other announcements should follow shortly.
Not a word about Cecchini
The elephant in the room during this press conference was obviously the absence of president Mario Cecchini, whose contract was not renewed by the owners of the Alouettes.
Maciocia had said a few weeks ago that he would be very sad that his ally would not be back in 2023. However, he would not comment on the news on Tuesday.
“Everyone here knows my feelings for Mario Cecchini. It’s not a secret. But today is the day we hire a head coach, and I think our attention should be on this announcement. It’s a great day for the Montreal Alouettes, and I think that’s the answer Mario would want. »
On his social networks, minority owner Gary Stern assured that the presidency would be filled. Asked whether he had been offered to replace his friend, Maciocia had a succinct answer, but one that says a lot.
“I haven’t received an offer to be president and I want to be general manager of the Montreal Alouettes. »