Riders and VP of Player Personnel John Murphy part ways

The Roughriders have parted ways with a member of their football operations staff.

Prior to joining the Saskatchewan Roughriders, John Murphy spent time with the Calgary Stampeders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. (Facebook)

John Murphy, the club’s assistant vice-president of football operations and player personnel, made the announcement on his social media accounts Wednesday afternoon, and the Roughriders followed up with a statement not long after.

Murphy thanked Rider Nation for the last three seasons he spent with the team, saying the decision was tough both personally and professionally.

“The success and satisfaction I have experienced through my job is only made possible because of the relationships developed with the players, their families and yes, even their agents,” he said in the statement. “My sincere thanks to each of you for your trust, commitment, friendship and loyalty given to the team.”

While the reason for the departure was not given, the CFL has instituted a salary cap for football operations staff. The cap limits the number of coaching staff to 11 and the number of football operations staff to 16. It also requires teams to keep their salaries under $2.7 million.

Vice-President of Football Operations Chris Jones said earlier this year that his entire staff would have to take a pay cut of up to 10 per cent.

The Athletic’s Kirk Penton said that Murphy was unwilling to take that cut.

Just got an insider note about John Murphy’s departure from the #Roughriders: “It was due to his unwillingness to take a 10%+ pay cut under the newly imposed coaches’ cap. He agreed to a two-year deal and felt the Riders should live up to their obligation on that final year …

— Kirk Penton (@PentonKirk) December 5, 2018

In an emailed statement, Jones thanked Murphy for his time with the Roughriders.

“He is one of football’s top personnel men and was a big contributor to our success. He will remain a good friend of mine and I wish him all the best,” Jones said.

Murphy joined the Roughriders in 2015 after spending time with both the Calgary Stampeders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.