Richie Hall returning to Riders

Saskatchewan Roughrider fans will soon see a familiar face on the sidelines with Richie Hall returning as defensive coordinator.

The team announced Hall's return Tuesday morning, following up with a news conference

Hall was with the Riders coaching staff for 15 years before being hired as Edmonton Eskimos' head coach in 2009. He spent two seasons with the team before being fired in 2010 after the Eskimos failed to make the playoffs.

Hall had also played with the Riders for four seasons and was a member of the Grey Cup-winning 1989 team.

The affable Hall, long a fan favourite in Regina, said he's looking forward to working with the team again.

"I think there's a lot of smiles with me coming back, just like there's a lot of smiles on my face with me returning," he said.

The move follows some big changes in the Riders coaching staff since the team's 2010 Grey Cup loss to the Montreal Alouettes.

Head coach Ken Miller stepped down and was replaced by Greg Marshall. Miller remains as the club's vice-president of football operations.

Marshall left the Riders in 1999 for other coaching positions and was most recently the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' defensive co-ordinator for the past two seasons.

Hall, who worked with Marshall in Saskatchewan, said they have a good relationship.

"Ever since we departed in 2000, we've always had the desire to work together again," said Hall.

"I know I'm very excited about it and he's very excited. You know it's interesting because we've been apart for so long, now to come back together and to see what we've learned. We've kind of gone in different avenues and we all came in together and now we're reunited and I think it's going to be fun."

Riders GM Brendan Taman said Hall's record speaks for itself.

"He's pretty successful wherever he's been and as a defensive coach, whenever teams I've [been with] played against him, it was tough. He's a good coach and obviously was in the search for the head coaching job so we think a lot of him," said Taman.