https://3downnation.com/2025/12/18/winnipeg-blue-bombers-expected-to-hire-tommy-condell-as-offensive-coordinator/
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are expected to hire Tommy Condell as their offensive coordinator for the 2026 season, sources have confirmed to 3DownNation. Arash Madani was the first to report the news.
The longtime CFL assistant coach was the offensive coordinator with the Ottawa Redblacks for the past two seasons. In 2025, his unit finished sixth in net offence (338.5), eighth in offensive points (22.1), and ninth in yards per play (5.99), but was second in time of possession (30.59). He was not retained following the season.
Condell worked closely with franchise quarterback Zach Collaros when he was the offensive coordinator of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats from 2013 to 2015. The team reached back-to-back Grey Cup games in his first two seasons, and led the CFL in net offence with Collaros at the helm in 2015.
The 54-year-old's first CFL coaching job came with the Blue Bombers back in 1997 as their special teams coordinator. He has also spent time as an offensive coordinator with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Toronto Argonauts, and previously held assistant roles with Hamilton, Toronto, and the Ottawa Renegades.
The Blue Bombers' offence was led by first-year play-caller Jason Hogan in 2025, who drew criticism from players and fans alike. It remains unclear if Hogan is under contract with Winnipeg for next year, as head coach Mike O'Shea recently declined to address the status of his assistants.
Bad news if you sell oversized sunglasses. Good news for everyone else.
Kinda mixed on this one. It's good to get an experienced OC, BUT Ottawa's offense has stunk the last 2 seasons, was it personnel or play calling or both??
No doubt Collaros had some say into this and hopping they can regain their Hamilton era form
If Connell comes here, hope Crum follows him too and we get a real #2 Qb as well.
Great news for me. Condell's been a good OC for years.
I don't think there's a downside here.
QuoteI don't think there's a downside here.
Oh for sure. I am th8nking the Collaros-Connell chemistry is going to lead to great things. He had a green Qb in Ottawa that threw waaay too many picks. You could tell last year Collaros wasn't happy with the play calling, that will change now
Definitely an upgrade. But the OC was not the only thing ailing our offence.
Maybe he can convince some of his players to come over. Either Crum or Shiltz would be an upgrade for QB2. Both Addison and Hardy are getting a bit long in the tooth, but either would be an improvement over all our import receivers except maybe Wilson.
Quote from: bunker on December 19, 2025, 12:55:39 AMDefinitely an upgrade. But the OC was not the only thing ailing our offence.
Maybe he can convince some of his players to come over. Either Crum or Shiltz would be an upgrade for QB2. Both Addison and Hardy are getting a bit long in the tooth, but either would be an improvement over all our import receivers except maybe Wilson.
Convincing a few Redblacks to become Bombers is not a bad idea. They have some talented players.
Quote from: bunker on December 19, 2025, 12:55:39 AMDefinitely an upgrade. But the OC was not the only thing ailing our offence.
While true, he was the weakest link in the chain. Getting rid of it is sensible.
Condell is a huge upgrade.
Quote from: bunker on December 19, 2025, 12:55:39 AMDefinitely an upgrade. But the OC was not the only thing ailing our offence.
Maybe he can convince some of his players to come over. Either Crum or Shiltz would be an upgrade for QB2. Both Addison and Hardy are getting a bit long in the tooth, but either would be an improvement over all our import receivers except maybe Wilson.
Man, Shiltz has had more opportunities than most backup QB's and he always fails to rise to the occasion, wouldn't want him taking up a roster spot.
Condell is going to have a difficult time getting any talent to follow him rather than staying with Dinwiddie.
Mixed feelings I'll reserve judgement.
I was never impressed by his schemes over the years. I thought Lapo and Buck had a solid leg up on this guy.
Hopefully this means a stronger emphasis in the run game.
Good, we got a seasoned and proven OC just in time as we're about to host the Grey Cup.
Face palm. Better late than never.
Very happy with this change and this is a critical step in a "retool" to be competitive again this year.
IMO this was the missing piece in 2025.
Quote from: dd on December 19, 2025, 12:31:10 AMOh for sure. I am th8nking the Collaros-Connell chemistry is going to lead to great things. He had a green Qb in Ottawa that threw waaay too many picks. You could tell last year Collaros wasn't happy with the play calling, that will change now
One would like to think this hire was done in a collaborative manner.
Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on December 19, 2025, 06:55:14 PMMixed feelings I'll reserve judgement.
I was never impressed by his schemes over the years. I thought Lapo and Buck had a solid leg up on this guy.
Hopefully this means a stronger emphasis in the run game.
He's a pass first guy.
Maybe bad luck or being in the wrong place at the wrong time but Condell has only one GC ring and that was as a receiver coach with the Argos in 2017. Despite starting his CFL coaching career back in 2004 with the Ottawa Renegades he's never risen to HC, in that time he's had a few stints out of the league but has at least 15 CFL seasons under his belt.
Quote from: Blue In BC on December 19, 2025, 01:07:11 PMConvincing a few Redblacks to become Bombers is not a baQuote from: Blue In BC on December 19, 2025, 01:07:11 PMConvincing a few Redblacks to become Bombers is not a bad idea. They have some talented players.
idea. They have some talented players.
Geno Lewis would look good in Blue and Gold, same for Hardy!! That would really elevate our passing game, which Condell is going to want to do for sure.
Quote from: dd on December 19, 2025, 10:31:22 PMidea. They have some talented players.
Geno Lewis would look good in Blue and Gold, same for Hardy!! That would really elevate our passing game, which Condell is going to want to do for sure.
Hardy is no longer a bargain, he was the league's 3rd highest paid receiver last season at $235k, Lewis was the 6th highest paid at $226k. If they're both FA, likely in line for a raise similar to Demski.
Experience will help us to he sure at this position but won't be a slam dunk. Changing coaches takes time for it to work sometimes and a new system will require adjustments by players who have been used to a similar playbook for sometime. A necessary evil based on Hogan's performance and inability to adjust and improve quickly. Our offense needs to do three things well, Brady bully ball, protect Zach and allow him to sling nasty. That's always been out receipe for success.
Quote from: dd on December 19, 2025, 10:31:22 PMidea. They have some talented players.
Geno Lewis would look good in Blue and Gold, same for Hardy!! That would really elevate our passing game, which Condell is going to want to do for sure.
Lewis is not a pending FA. Hardy is.
Quote from: M.O.A.B. on December 20, 2025, 01:48:04 PMLewis is not a pending FA. Hardy is.
Hardy might be a hard get, he's been in Ottawa longer than Condell and is someone the Redblacks will pay up to keep from getting to FA.
But, I like the idea.
Quote from: Jesse on December 20, 2025, 06:46:01 PMHardy might be a hard get, he's been in Ottawa longer than Condell and is someone the Redblacks will pay up to keep from getting to FA.
But, I like the idea.
You add Justin Hardy to our lineup, and our pass offense is set. We'd have Hardy, Demski, Wilson, Sterns and I honestly don't care who #5 and 6 are. We'd have enough weapons to go with Brady that our offense would be a force to be reckoned with, this is AFTER we upgrade our O line.
Hardy is also 34, so not sure we add an aging vet, Id really go after Tim White from Ham.
Quote from: Pete on December 20, 2025, 08:02:35 PMHardy is also 34, so not sure we add an aging vet, Id really go after Tim White from Ham.
Never been a big Tim White fan, he has his moments but as often as not he drops balls that hit him in the hands. Also not really a cheap option, would like them to find an under the radar play-maker rising to become a star, ideally just coming off their ELC.
Quote from: Pete on December 20, 2025, 08:02:35 PMHardy is also 34, so not sure we add an aging vet, Id really go after Tim White from Ham.
And Tim White would be 32 next season.
It's a fair point but White ain't the answer.
Quote from: Pete on December 20, 2025, 08:02:35 PMHardy is also 34, so not sure we add an aging vet, Id really go after Tim White from Ham.
I can see White wanting to move on from Hamilton's offense, between Lawler and Smith, White didn't see the ball at all. He's a play maker, we could use him for sure. Would be nice if he came here.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on December 20, 2025, 09:51:23 PMNever been a big Tim White fan, he has his moments but as often as not he drops balls that hit him in the hands. Also not really a cheap option, would like them to find an under the radar play-maker rising to become a star, which usually means coming off their ELC.
Ayden Eberhardt?
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on December 20, 2025, 09:51:23 PMNever been a big Tim White fan, he has his moments but as often as not he drops balls that hit him in the hands. Also not really a cheap option, would like them to find an under the radar play-maker rising to become a star, which usually means coming off their ELC.
That under the radar guy is what we tried ly at several spots that really didnt work out
Quote from: RebusRankin on December 21, 2025, 02:29:01 PMAyden Eberhardt?
I think Eberhardt is the same type of receiver as Sterns, a solid #3 or 4, we need a #1 to give Wilson and Demski more room to operate.
Quote from: Pete on December 21, 2025, 05:55:34 PMThat under the radar guy is what we tried ly at several spots that really didnt work out
They shouldn't alter their strategy based on one bad outcome (Mitchell), the odds of success are never 100% but they probably shouldn't bet the farm on a single receiver either.
Size matters to me, so I'm weeding out the shrimps right from the start.
I still like the flashes we've seen from Wheatfall and think he can develop further with more attention, he deserves a spot on the PR even if they start the season with another receiver, just for continuously running his routes at top speed.
Aberhardt has better size than Tim White or Sterns but he certainly isn't a burner or destined to be a #1 receiver.
Steven Dunbar, almost forgotten in Edmonton but as just good as Tim White IMO, with better size at 6'-3" 202 lbs.
Shemar Bridges, the Ti-Cats may let him slip away, Lawler stole the spotlight from him in 2025 after his outstanding 2024 season. Again good size at 6'-4" 208 lbs.
My #1 under-the-radar pick is Tevin Jones from the Stamps, tough, good at YAC, and big at 6'-4" 225 lbs.
Some good thoughts. IMO Jones is a middling talent, and is turning 33. Bridges might be a good reclamation project but a bit concerning how his 2025 production fell off from his rookie year. Dunbar is bigger than Stearns, and a bit more productive last year, although the difference between his production and Stearns was not huge. And Zach is finicky about his receivers, and seemed to get comfortable with Stearns as the season progressed. I would like an upgrade at receiver but maybe we could consider leaving Stearns in place as the 3/4 and going after an impactful nat? Someone like Emilus is a more likely candidate for a 1/2 receiver. He would cost a bundle though, and we are already paying Demski 240,000, and my bet is Wilson is getting 175-200,000. Clercius seemed to fall out the starting rotation by the end of the year. Even Schaffer-Baker would be a nice upgrade on him.
Condell has been named the team's new OC (https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/12/22/blue-bombers-announce-coaching-changes/#:~:text=Tommy%20Condell%C2%A0has%20been%20named%20the%20Club%E2%80%99s%20new%20offensive%20coordinator).
Fun fact: Condell began his CFL career with the Blue Bombers in 1997 as the special teams coordinator.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on December 22, 2025, 03:27:41 PMCondell has been named the team's new OC (https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/12/22/blue-bombers-announce-coaching-changes/#:~:text=Tommy%20Condell%C2%A0has%20been%20named%20the%20Club%E2%80%99s%20new%20offensive%20coordinator).
Fun fact: Condell began his CFL career with the Blue Bombers in 1997 as the special teams coordinator.
So, he's "coming home"?
I like Steven Dunbar, he's produced everywhere he's played. If he's available, I'd see if we can get him here, we d have a very respectable receiving corps.
Quote from: bunker on December 22, 2025, 03:50:58 AMSome good thoughts. IMO Jones is a middling talent, and is turning 33. Bridges might be a good reclamation project but a bit concerning how his 2025 production fell off from his rookie year. Dunbar is bigger than Stearns, and a bit more productive last year, although the difference between his production and Stearns was not huge. And Zach is finicky about his receivers, and seemed to get comfortable with Stearns as the season progressed. I would like an upgrade at receiver but maybe we could consider leaving Stearns in place as the 3/4 and going after an impactful nat? Someone like Emilus is a more likely candidate for a 1/2 receiver. He would cost a bundle though, and we are already paying Demski 240,000, and my bet is Wilson is getting 175-200,000. Clercius seemed to fall out the starting rotation by the end of the year. Even Schaffer-Baker would be a nice upgrade on him.
Not sure it's a priority to replace Sterns at #4 he's good at that spot, looking more at #1 receiver that should have been Schoen. Not too many Natl. receivers could fill that spot other than Emulus who is unlikely to reach FA and will be expensive.
Quote from: theaardvark on December 22, 2025, 05:21:21 PMSo, he's "coming home"?
(https://media.tenor.com/qG3Vw-o9l9gAAAAM/sure-why-not-simpsons-simpsons-sure-why-not.gif)
Condell official.
Hogan back to RB coach.
Jake Thomas retires and becomes defensive line coach.
Some of These coaches are nomads...
T. Condell has coached in many leagues, levels, and places.
Its an unusual lifestyle.
Quote from: dd on December 20, 2025, 07:20:45 PMYou add Justin Hardy to our lineup, and our pass offense is set. We'd have Hardy, Demski, Wilson, Sterns and I honestly don't care who #5 and 6 are.
The missing puzzle piece is a great middle / slant / crosser bruiser guy who can get us out of 2nd & med/long. We haven't had that since Bailey, and Bailey wasn't even that great at it.
Hardy is perfect for that, and strangely doesn't get hurt much, even with his advanced age. Dunbar also used to be that guy. Maybe still is. Hardy seems to have more heart though.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on December 19, 2025, 06:24:42 PMCondell is going to have a difficult time getting any talent to follow him rather than staying with Dinwiddie.
Why? Dinwiddie+Dinwiddie > MOS+Condell?? Culture counts. Dinwiddie may be able to make a winning culture, but everything I see of him points to him being a massive aaaa hhhh to his players & coaches.
MOS still has more success than Dinwiddie. Not sure why you'd think Din would be the greater draw.
Quote from: dd on December 18, 2025, 11:15:21 PMKinda mixed on this one. It's good to get an experienced OC, BUT Ottawa's offense has stunk the last 2 seasons, was it personnel or play calling or both??
It was culture,
and all of the above. Dyce was always in over his head. He's a lot like Gee Shucks Dickenson The Lesser.
Quote from: markf on December 22, 2025, 07:02:00 PMSome of These coaches are nomads...
T. Condell has coached in many leagues, levels, and places.
Its an unusual lifestyle.
Co-ordinators and position coaches work at the whim of an HC.
When an HC gets ousted, its off to a new gig for everyone below.
You don't have to be a bad co-ordinator or position coach, if you are on a bad team, have a bad HC or have bad co-horts resulting in a bad result.
Bob Wylie has been on a lot of teams, and been very successful as an Oline coach at almost every stop. Yes, a nomadic life, but many actually like being nomads. New challenges, new scenery.
Hogan will learn and grow from his experience last year. It's a blessing we retained him. Tough year but best way to learn is by falling on your face, dusting off and getting a 2nd chance. MOS let him fly on his own too early. Back to the nest for a few more lessons. Success isn't always linear.
Quote from: Tecno on December 23, 2025, 07:25:43 AMWhy? Dinwiddie+Dinwiddie > MOS+Condell?? Culture counts. Dinwiddie may be able to make a winning culture, but everything I see of him points to him being a massive aaaa hhhh to his players & coaches.
MOS still has more success than Dinwiddie. Not sure why you'd think Din would be the greater draw.
Dinwiddie provides veteran RB players the hope of turning the program around which Condell or Dyce were unable to do. Why would a player want to pack up their life and change everything they know just to follow a nomadic football coach that may not have the power to convince his HC to make any personnel changes? The door isn't wide open when you enter O'Shea's locker room, some positions were set in stone well before Condell was hired.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on December 23, 2025, 05:44:34 PMWhy would a player want to pack up their life and change everything they know...
That happens all the time in pro sports. Players want to win and sometimes that means packing up their lives to improve those chances. Culture also counts, as
@Tecno mentioned. The culture here is arguably second to none.
I would also assert the Bombers have less work ahead of them to get back on track than the RedBlacks do; that's a tall order for Dinwddie. That could also be a factor for certain players depending on their desires.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on December 23, 2025, 05:44:34 PMDinwiddie provides veteran RB players the hope of turning the program around which Condell or Dyce were unable to do. Why would a player want to pack up their life and change everything they know just to follow a nomadic football coach that may not have the power to convince his HC to make any personnel changes? The door isn't wide open when you enter O'Shea's locker room, some positions were set in stone well before Condell was hired.
Yeah, Wilson, Demski, Oliviera and Collaros are givens... that's 1/3 of the lineup Condell has no say in ;)
Quote from: theaardvark on December 23, 2025, 06:02:38 PMYeah, Wilson, Demski, Oliviera and Collaros are givens... that's 1/3 of the lineup Condell has no say in ;)
Could be a few ex-Argo players that shared bad blood with Dinwiddie and want nothing to do with him like Adarius Pickett, but if headed towards FA, they're free to choose their own destination.
Caption should read, "nice guy, says nothing", listening to him is like having the wind blow through your ears, can't recall a word he said 2 minutes later. :D
Did Condell at 2:22 say Zach has "diminished arm strength"? That's the first time I've seen WFC acknowledge this fact. Not sure he's supposed to say that...
Quote from: Tecno on December 24, 2025, 06:03:58 AMDid Condell at 2:22 say Zach has "diminished arm strength"?
I had to listen to it a handful of times, but I think he said he doesn't see that.
Quote from: Tecno on December 24, 2025, 06:03:58 AMDid Condell at 2:22 say Zach has "diminished arm strength"? That's the first time I've seen WFC acknowledge this fact. Not sure he's supposed to say that...
He literally says he "
doesn't see diminished arm strength", if that's what you're counting as acknowledgement.
Quote from: theaardvark on December 23, 2025, 04:06:57 PMCo-ordinators and position coaches work at the whim of an HC.
When an HC gets ousted, its off to a new gig for everyone below.
You don't have to be a bad co-ordinator or position coach, if you are on a bad team, have a bad HC or have bad co-horts resulting in a bad result.
Bob Wylie has been on a lot of teams, and been very successful as an Oline coach at almost every stop. Yes, a nomadic life, but many actually like being nomads. New challenges, new scenery.
I wasn't suggesting Condell is a bad coach, in fact if Collaros thinks he's a good coach, that's good enough for me.
I was just surprised at how often some of these coaches uproot and move. Tough life for the family.
It Makes the military life seem sedentary.
I listen to Rich Gannon on Sirius xm. The other day, with NFL coach firings being discussed, He was talking about the difficulty of the coaching life for assistants and other staff.
Off topic, but Rich is a very good listen....
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on December 24, 2025, 02:31:19 PMI had to listen to it a handful of times, but I think he said he doesn't see that.
Quote from: Jesse on December 24, 2025, 02:37:22 PMHe literally says he "doesn't see diminished arm strength", if that's what you're counting as acknowledgement.
Listen again. You're not taking into account the entire run-on sentence and what he's trying to get out. It's ambiguous at best and can be taken either way:
"I don't see his diminishment of arm strength I don't see it as a diminish of of talent and be able to move the pocket"To me he may have been trying to say:
I don't see his diminished arm strength as a sign of diminished talent and being able to move the pocketBecause the "it" is referring to the prior subject of "diminished arm stength".
Besides, the whole world knows by watching film that Zach's "effortless" range is 45Y, 50Y if he gives it welly, and 55Y if he goes all in and likely gets a sore muscle for his trouble.
Compare that to Evans, who Condell had in HAM, who could chuck it 60 with a tiny flick.
You wouldn't want Condell coming in blind thinking Zach can chuck it like Evans could and planning around 65Y bombs. Surely Zach and MOS and Hogan told Condell what the reality is. Or Condell just watched Zach play against him the last 2 seasons...