Popp takes over as Alouettes coach

Jim Popp has found a permanent replacement for Don Matthews: himself.

The Montreal Alouettes general manager, who took over coaching duties after Matthews left the club on Oct. 4, announced Friday he was assuming the head coaching jobfull time.

Popp, 41, will continue to serve as the CFL's club general manager, a position he has held for 11 seasons.

"Jim Popp is the architect of our football team," Alouettes president and chief executive officer Larry Smith said in a statement.

"This will be a great opportunity for him to put his stamp on the entire product. We know he's a winner, we know he excels in his role and believe he is the best person to bring us closer to our ultimate objective of winning the Grey Cup."

After replacing Matthews, Popp helped lead the Alouettes to first place in the East Division and a berth in the Grey Cup, where they lost 25-14 to the B.C. Lions. It was Montreal's fifth Grey Cup appearance in the past seven years — itsonly win came in 2002.

Popp's CFL career began in 1992 with the Saskatchewan Roughriders as a receivers coach. His first management duties were with the Baltimore Stallions in 1994 and he joined the Alouettes in 1996.