CFL (Non-Bombers) off-season news

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

https://www.cfl.ca/2026/03/25/corey-mace-named-2025-coach-of-the-year/

Wut?  Don't they usually do this during the week of the Grey Cup?

[Jesse]

Wut?  Don't they usually do this during the week of the Grey Cup?

During the combine this year.

Really pushed it under the radar though.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

During the combine this year.

Really pushed it under the radar though.

I could be wrong but I remember O'Shea receivng his COTY awards during the CFL awards ceremony. Like the player awards this is supposed to be based on the regular season results and not include the playoffs.

[Jesse]

I could be wrong but I remember O'Shea receivng his COTY awards during the CFL awards ceremony. Like the player awards this is supposed to be based on the regular season results and not include the playoffs.

They tried something new this year.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

They tried something new this year.

FAIL, I bet less than 100 CFL fans caught this.

[dd]

Ya the timing is brutal, don't break tradition makes no sense to award this outside grey cup festivities

[Blue In BC]

Stamps sign returner T.McCallister after his release from the UFL. Although I wouldn't have minded considering signing him as a back up, he probably wanted a better chance to win the starting role. In Winnipeg we already have Vaval and he's written in as the starter.

Chances are he would expect more than an ELC deal.

[Waffler]

Here's one I haven't heard in the CFL before, Elks have hired Rick Campbell as a coaching analyst.

What exactly is that? Maybe they mean football analyst?

Job opening at Central Michigan wants this:

Position Summary:
The Senior Football Analyst serves as a key member of the football programs staff, providing advanced strategic support to coaching staff while serving as the programs primary interface with NFL personnel. Serves as the liaison between the football program and NFL scouts, personnel departments, and league representatives. Responsible for advanced film and data analysis along with the development of offensive strategies that align with the programs competitive goals. This position optimizes program performance and professional opportunities for student-athletes while ensuring strict adherence to NCAA regulations.

https://3downnation.com/2026/03/31/edmonton-elks-hire-longtime-cfl-coach-rick-campbell/

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Here's one I haven't heard in the CFL before, Elks have hired Rick Campbell as a coaching analyst.

What exactly is that? Maybe they mean football analyst?

Job opening at Central Michigan wants this:

Position Summary:
The Senior Football Analyst serves as a key member of the football programs staff, providing advanced strategic support to coaching staff while serving as the programs primary interface with NFL personnel. Serves as the liaison between the football program and NFL scouts, personnel departments, and league representatives. Responsible for advanced film and data analysis along with the development of offensive strategies that align with the programs competitive goals. This position optimizes program performance and professional opportunities for student-athletes while ensuring strict adherence to NCAA regulations.

https://3downnation.com/2026/03/31/edmonton-elks-hire-longtime-cfl-coach-rick-campbell/

Ti-Cats were doing this a few years ago, adding to their coaching staff without violating the coaching cap by calling them "consultants".  I believe that is how they engaged Scott Milanovich originally.  Guess where Hervey was working at the time?

[Blue In BC]

I've been waiting to hear the results of all teams spend against the 2025 SMS. Historically it's been around the end of March.

Still no word that I've heard. Anyone see something elsewhere?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I've been waiting to hear the results of all teams spend against the 2025 SMS. Historically it's been around the end of March.

Still no word that I've heard. Anyone see something elsewhere?

Yes, they moved the press release to between Christmas and Boxing Day, you'll need to file a FOIP request before midnight on the day after to read the actual document.

[Tecno]

Yes, they moved the press release to between Christmas and Boxing Day, you'll need to file a FOIP request before midnight on the day after to read the actual document.

Just like SCTV: Moe Green will let you see their FCC license if you come down between the hours of 1:00 and 1:05 on Thursday.  (Unfortunately, no YT clip for this one... buy the DVD!)

I think the SMS overages get announced within the next 2 weeks.  My money is on BC being over by 50k+ again, and some teams being over a tad (maybe even us).  SSK probably went over by a decent bit too.  Why?  Because why not.  It always pays to max the cap.

[Jesse]

Just like SCTV: Moe Green will let you see their FCC license if you come down between the hours of 1:00 and 1:05 on Thursday.  (Unfortunately, no YT clip for this one... buy the DVD!)

I think the SMS overages get announced within the next 2 weeks.  My money is on BC being over by 50k+ again, and some teams being over a tad (maybe even us).  SSK probably went over by a decent bit too.  Why?  Because why not.  It always pays to max the cap.

I'd be slightly surprised if anyone exceeded the cap last year with the last minute cap increase and and the late year 50k bonus addition.

[Blue In BC]

I'd be slightly surprised if anyone exceeded the cap last year with the last minute cap increase and and the late year 50k bonus addition.

I agree but OTOH we don't see how much SMS is spent in December re-signing players. The information is interesting but doesn't tell the entire story.

Regardless I'd like that info just to see what it might suggest. Obviously that's just guesswork.

Using the Lions as an example: They went over by $300K a couple of years back and still tanked the season. The late return from the NFL by Rourke and Betts caused that overage.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I agree but OTOH we don't see how much SMS is spent in December re-signing players. The information is interesting but doesn't tell the entire story.

Regardless I'd like that info just to see what it might suggest. Obviously that's just guesswork.

Using the Lions as an example: They went over by $300K a couple of years back and still tanked the season. The late return from the NFL by Rourke and Betts caused that overage.

That's an interesting point, from an accounting perspective it's pretty easy to spend up to the cap after the season is over if the SMS budget has not already been exceeded as they know exactly what they have left.  Look for the teams that did no late and post season re-signing of their own to indicate they exceeded the cap.

With that mysterious pre-seaon bonus payment I don't think there will be any teams over this season as they seem to have allowed the marketing money scam to continue as an exception.