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It’s been three weeks since former Saskatchewan Roughriders general manager Brendan Taman and former head coach Corey Chamblin were fired.
Taman spoke on News Talk’s Game Day With Wray Saturday before the Riders home game against Ottawa.
It was back on Aug. 30 when the Riders suffered an embarrassing 35-13 loss in Ottawa. Fans were calling for Chamblin to be fired well before that game, but that loss was the tipping point. Taman said he went to team President and CEO Craig Reynolds to recommend they look for a new head coach.
“Yeah I recommended that to Craig Monday morning that we were probably due for a change at the coaching rank,” said Taman. “He asked me my thoughts on what the options may be. But the day sort of dragged on without anymore discussions on that and the rest is history.”
Taman admits he was surprised by the move to let him go, saying GMs usually get to stick around for two head coaches. He believes Reynolds wanted to make a fairly bold move on himself and Chamblin.
“I would have loved to have been able to continue doing what I was doing,” said Taman. “But at the end of the day, Craig figured it was best they move on without me. I was hoping I’d get another chance but there are no guarantees in life on anything, so I just have to move on and live with it.”
The question now remains: who will be the next head coach and GM of the Riders? Bob Dyce has taken on the role of interim head coach for the rest of the year with Jeremy O’Day taking over as GM, also on an interim basis.
Taman says O’Day is the natural fit to take over full time.
“He knows Saskatchewan,” said Taman. “I think that’s very important. He knows the market. He knows how much this means to the community and the province and that can’t be overlooked. Jeremy knows the team, he knows the players, he knows most of the coaches, he just knows. It’s like turning a key and carrying on.”
As for what’s next for Taman, he says it’s an interesting business. Sometimes the doors don’t open when you think they will and sometimes they’re closed when you think they aren’t. While he is resigned to the fact that he isn’t going to be in football for the rest of the season, he is hopeful he can get back into the game next year.
