Desjardins rejoins Alouettes as assistant GM
It's like old times again in Montreal, with Jim Popp focused solely on general manager's duties with the Alouettes and Marcel Desjardins, as of Wednesday, back as his assistant.
Desjardins left the Canadian Football League team after seven-plus years in August 2006 to become GM of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
But he lasted just 14 months in that role, taking the fall on Nov. 5 for the Ticats' 3-15 campaign in 2007 that followed a 4-14 season.
"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to come back to the organization with which I've had so much success," Desjardins said in a statement. "I am confident that teaming up with Jim Popp once again will lead to continuing that success for the club."
In 1999, Desjardins left his position at the CFL's head office in Toronto to join the Alouettes as assistant director of football operations. He was promoted to assistant GM in 2002.
Desjardins was rumoured to have been on the hot seat for the Ticats' regression from the 2006 season and for making some questionable moves.
Among them was the Jan. 31 trade of wide receiver D.J. Flick and offensive lineman Wayne Smith to Saskatchewan for quarterback Rocky Butler and a 2007 second-round draft pick.
Hamilton released Butler in late June, while Flick prospered for the reigning Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders, finishing in a tie with Calgary's Jeremaine Copeland and Ken-Yon Rambo for the most touchdown receptions in the CFL (10).
On June 27, Desjardins shipped defensive back Tad Kornegay to Saskatchewan for receivers Thyron Anderson and Jason French. Anderson is no longer with the Tiger-Cats while French had a roller-coaster season with his new club.
One of Desjardins's better acquisitions was the signing of former Notre Dame standout kicker Nick Setta, who was a finalist for top rookie honours this past season.
O'Billovich named new Tiger-Cats GM
The firing of Desjardins was thought to be the start of a series of moves this off-season in Hamilton.
On Wednesday, the Tiger-Catsreplaced him withformer B.C. Lions player personnel director Bob O'Billovich.
Charlie Taaffe, the CFL's top coach in 1999 and 2000 in Montreal, has two years left on his deal withHamilton and could be forced to make dramatic changes to his staff.