LaPolice to coach Blue Bombers: report

General manager Eric Tillman isn't returning to the Saskatchewan Roughriders and neither, apparently, is offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice.

LaPolice accepted an offer Thursday morning to become the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' 28th head coach, sources close to the Canadian Football League team told CBC News.

An official announcement is expected on Friday.

LaPolice oversaw the Blue Bombers offence in 2002 and 2003 before spending the next two seasons as offensive co-ordinator in Hamilton.

Prior to arriving in the CFL in 2000, he spent seven years coaching at four American colleges.

The last time most CFL fans saw LaPolice he was caught on camera slamming his hat in the co-ordinators' booth during last year's Grey Cup after Saskatchewan took a too-many-men penalty in the game's final moments that led to Damon Duval's winning field goal for Montreal.

It's believed LaPolice beat out former Blue Bombers defensive co-ordinator Greg Marshall for the job. Marshall, who currently runs the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' defence, reportedly was interviewed for three hours by Bombers GM Joe Mack on Tuesday in Toronto.

Marshall is said to be in the mix for the Argonauts' head coaching job. The Toronto Star reported Wednesday that Hamilton has given Argos management permission to speak with the 16-year CFL coach.

In 2005, Marshall interviewed for the Blue Bombers' head coaching job, but the position went to Doug Berry, who has also been linked to the Argos' coaching search.

The Bombers would confirm on Thursday that Ken Moll was hired as director of player personnel.

"He possesses the skill sets and contacts to develop a systematic network which will meet the needs of our club in the near and long term. His experience and professionalism will be an immediate asset to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, "Mack said in a statement.

Moll has extensive experience in the NFL as a scout, working several years each with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Cleveland Browns.