Darrell Davis: Riders’ right path is Reynolds to O’Day to LaPolice

To their credit, the Saskatchewan Roughriders already have a decent hierarchy in place with Jeremy O’Day, Paul Jones and Mike Davis. Roughriders president Craig Reynolds doesn’t have to do anything with them, other than confirm O’Day as the team’s general manager. O’Day has spent 21 years with the CFL team, starting as a player, and has been groomed for the position.

After that, Reynolds needs to step out of O’Day’s path and let his new general manager hire a head coach to replace Chris Jones.

That’s how the pecking order works in pro football: President hires GM, GM hires head coach, head coach hires defensive co-ordinator, which was also one of Jones’ responsibilities before breaking his Riders contract to join the NFL’s Cleveland Browns as an assistant coach.

Former Riders offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice would be O’Day’s best choice. LaPolice works for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, but they won’t prevent him from interviewing for Saskatchewan’s job. If LaPolice can work with the coaches who remain after Jones’ departure, O’Day can get things rolling.