Preamble and confession - I have been around long enough to see some of the great head coaches the Blue Bombers have had. Those head coaches include, but are not limited to, Bud Grant, Cal Murphy, Dave Ritchie, Mike Reilly, to name a few.
Each one had great success coaching the Blue Bombers and are considered by many to be the best head coaches in the league and with the Blue Bombers.
With all of their accomplishments, I have never seen a head coach with the qualities and abilities quite like Mike O'Shea who inherited a less-than-stellar Blue Bomber team and has moulded it into a team of consistent winners and Grey Cup participants.
By all accounts, players want to play in Winnipeg, want to be part of the best fan base, want to play for arguably the best coaching staff in the league, believe in the goals and culture set by the team, and all of this starts with Mike O'Shea who sets the culture and motivates the team to the success they enjoy.
Certainly the management group and scouting staff are an important part of success but Mike O'Shea is, I believe, the catalyst in bringing and building a team of consistent winners to Winnipeg.
Mike O'Shea is now developing new records - well deserved - and we can only hope his message and coaching skills will never die because we are where we are because of him IMHO.
Yes, it's a team game but with every team there has to be a leader. And we have one of the best!
We are blessed to have him.
Very true
O Shea has created a situation where players are accountable to each other. The Bombers rarely take retaliation penalties or penalties after the whistle. We saw it again last night when the Elks lose a player because he had to throw a punch after the whistle. The Bomber players don't want to do something that will put their teammates chance of winning in jeopardy.
100%. But I'll add it's the whole Canadian Mafia. It was critical to keep MOS and KW together, and the oft-overlooked (because he's much more behind-the-scenes) WM.
I take great solace in the knowledge that Riderfans hate all three ;D ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: TecnoGenius on September 23, 2024, 02:32:56 AM100%. But I'll add it's the whole Canadian Mafia. It was critical to keep MOS and KW together, and the oft-overlooked (because he's much more behind-the-scenes) WM.
I take great solace in the knowledge that Riderfans hate all three ;D ;D ;D ;D
YES, when rider fans hate your team, you know the team is good. :D
If you're part of this organization and the stubbler-jumpers don't like you, you're doing something quite right.
O'Shea is the man. And the Canadian Mafia rules.
Is MOS 60 yet? How many more years can we expect to benefit from The Mafia? Surely they get a long leash even if we start going downhill. I would think the end will come when MOS gets too tired of the hectic life. However, he's always very spry and in good shape, so he could have the energy required for a long time to come. (My dad was similar and kept going until 78 -- no law says you have to retire.)
Maybe more difficult will be keeping MOS/KW together. Every new contract is hitting the wall salary-wise, and many teams want both (especially KW). I could see other teams offering $100k+ more. And Buck/Younger will need bumps every year, especially Younger, who is probably on a very friendly "starter's" contract. Hopefully the league gives the coach cap a big bump this year...
Quote from: TecnoGenius on September 24, 2024, 01:00:09 AMIs MOS 60 yet?
He turned 54 on Saturday. The boys celebrated by kicking the Elks in the teeth. ;D
Just listen to coach O'Shea. Who wouldn't run through a brick wall for this man?
O'Shea Presser, Sept. 24, 2024 (https://www.bluebombers.com/2024/09/24/coach-oshea-september-24-2/)
Quote from: J5V on September 25, 2024, 12:45:06 AMJust listen to coach O'Shea. Who wouldn't run through a brick wall for this man?
O'Shea Presser, Sept. 24, 2024 (https://www.bluebombers.com/2024/09/24/coach-oshea-september-24-2/)
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I love coach O Shea!
The vets role in turning this thing around (https://twitter.com/i/status/1839366697003708533)