Wray Morrison: Popp goes the GM

Play to your strengths.

It’s an age old phrase that can be useful in sports, business or life. It can serve as great advice.

Jim Popp was one of the masters at it as a CFL GM, yet not when he was a coach. As a result, Popp’s 21-year association with CFL football in Montreal is over.

For over two decades he was the brain trust behind some of the most successful teams in CFL history.

The Als have played in eight Grey Cups since Popp took control as GM, winning three titles.

Every franchise goes through some low times, Montreal was no exception. The team struggled with head coaches such as Dan Hawkins, Rod Rust and even Tom Higgins.

On more than one occasion Popp was of the mind he would be the answer as a replacement as a head coach.

His coaching record shows otherwise. He was 14 games under .500 in four different stints on the sidelines.

It was a case where Popp didn’t play to his strengths.