Darrell Davis: Benevides fits Riders’ needs

Craig Dickenson can hire whoever he wants as a defensive co-ordinator.

But for such an important role there’s really no reason why the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ new head coach wouldn’t hire Mike Benevides. Benevides has been a defensive co-ordinator for the B.C. Lions and Edmonton Eskimos, although the latter team just dumped him. He also spent three seasons as B.C.’s head coach, posting a 33-21 record.

Dickenson is a rookie head coach. He could use an experienced advisor, somebody like Benevides, who is also a pretty good guy.

Benevides could take over the difficult task of replacing Chris Jones, who recently deserted the Roughriders after building one of the CFL’s best defences. While with B.C., Benevides also supervised the Lions’ preparations for the Canadian college draft. When general manager Jeremy O’Day promoted Dickenson from special teams co-ordinator, he stated that his new head coach “ticked all the boxes.”

Dickenson can say the same thing if he hires Benevides.