‘We just couldn’t get it done’ An emotional Rick Campbell resigns as Redblacks Head Coach after the worst season in franchise history. CTV’s Patricia Boal reports.Campbell resigns from Redblacks TSN’s John Rodenburg gives analysis on the surprise resignation of head coach Rick Campbell on Monday.
Ottawa Redblacks head coach Rick Campbell will not return for the 2020 season after six years with the organization.
The announcement was made on Monday morning. The 48-year-old still had one more year left in his contract, but decided he could not continue as head coach after a difficult 3-15 season. In a press conference on Monday, Campbell appeared emotional and expressed his sadness in leaving the organization.
“I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m not sorry, I’m sad,” said Campbell as he broke down in tears.
Campbell has been the Redblacks’ first and only head coach since the expansion season in 2014. He helped lead the team to the Grey Cup championship three times, winning the title in 2016. He was also named CFL’s coach of the year in 2015. He says the decision to leave was difficult.
Club says it was full expectation that @REDBLACKS head coach Rick Campbell would be back next year. His choice to go. GM Marcel Desjardins says he’s as surprised as anyone @ctvottawa
“I didn’t think the status quo was best for the Redblacks going forward, and then decisions were made from there.”
The status quo would have meant a head coach and general manager Marcel Desjardins, each with a year left on their contracts, together for a 7th season, but that may have been the problem.
“I do not dislike Marcel, it’s not about that,” said Campbell. “Sometimes relationships have to jive to communicate well.”
“I really didn’t like it when people left here with a bad taste in their mouth and the list was getting a little long,” he adds.
“The conversation after the fact was that (Campbell) did not think that our relationship was good enough for him to want to continue in this arrangement,” says Desjardins.
OSEG President and CEO Marc Goudie says Campbell’s decision came as a surprise.
“I respect Rick’s decision. Rick’s done so much for us laying the foundation for the return of professional football in Ottawa, and for that, I am eternally grateful.”
Some former players took to social media, praising Campbell as a head coach, including Justin Phillips. On Twitter, Phillips says Campbell “is one of those guys that really ‘gets it.'”
CTVNewsOttawa.ca, Staff