NEW VOICES: Ottawa Redblacks Keeps Snyder, Adds Taman and Hudson to Soccer Operations Staff

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It was important for Shawn Burke, who was introduced as the general manager of the Ottawa Redblacks two weeks ago, to maintain some continuity, but also add new voices to the space for a team that has won just three games in each of its last two Canadians. Soccer league seasons.

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The Redblacks announced their soccer operations staff Monday. Jeremy Snyder, who became the interim general manager of the Redblacks when Marcel Desjardins was fired in late October, will return as an assistant general manager. Also returning is pro / college scout Philippe Moreau. Brendan Taman, who won a Gray Cup as the general manager of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and was with the Ottawa Rough Riders in the late 1980s and early 1990s, arrives as a professional personnel director. After 13 seasons in Saskatchewan, Chad Hudson has been hired as director of Canadian soccer exploration and analysis. Gone are player personnel director Jean-Marc Edme and player personnel coordinator Pier-Yves Lavergne. They both joined the Redblacks in 2016.

“It’s an exciting group to put together, a good combination of youth and experience,” Burke said. “It’s definitely important to have new thoughts and a new vision, but at the same time having some continuity from great people who are loyal and dedicated to turning the ship around here is great. Here’s a challenge. We need to improve. Sometimes that doesn’t mean status quo. I thought about every decision. I knew I was impacting people’s lives, but most of all I had to do what’s best for the Redblacks and (Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group). It’s about having the right people. There are many people who have certain skills, but this is how they all come together. You want to surround yourself with good people. You don’t want to have a lot of men who do. You want to have guys that broaden your decision making and be part of it. “

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Snyder is an original member of the Redblacks headquarters, joining the expansion organization in 2013 as the director of soccer administration and college / professional scouts. He was promoted to assistant general manager in 2017. Before coming to the CFL, he spent time with the Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles.

“The more time I spent with Jeremy and I got to know him more on a personal level, we’ve worked against each other for quite some time, the kind of things I talked about when I was introduced, things like work ethic, honesty and passion, it has everything. that, ”Burke said. “There were some philosophies about the exploration process and operations where we were similar in thought. I want to have a right hand that can help make things easier in terms of exploration and operation. Jeremy sank a bit into an acting role (GM). Know the building and everything related to it. That helps in the transition. What is often missed when talking about Jeremy is the experience he has with NFL contacts and his experience in the NFL. We will have the ability to grow that and really highlight what he can do on that side of things. “

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Taman has been with the CFL since 1987. He was the Rough Riders football operations manager from 1989 to 1992, then the general manager of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 2004 to 2008. He was the general manager of the Gray Cup-winning Roughriders in 2013. Most recently, he spent two years as a senior player personnel executive with the Montreal Alouettes.

“I’ve followed Brendan’s career,” Burke said. “I have great respect for what he has accomplished in this league. As much as he has experience as co-CEO at Hamilton, he sat in the chair. It can be a great resource not only for me, but for all staff. He has worked with Coach (Paul) LaPolice in the past. That helps when you’re trying to build a unit in terms of scouting and training staff working together. Brendan is something of an idiot of all trades. He’s run Canadian drafts, he’s run US exploration departments. I am excited to be able to bring him here and be part of our organization ”.

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Hudson was the Roughriders’ soccer exploration and analysis manager for the past four seasons. Before joining Saskatchewan in 2009, he was the Alouettes’ Senior Video Coordinator. Hudson also spent time with Regina Rams University as its professional liaison and video director.

“I’ve known Chad for a long time,” Burke said. “He’s one of those guys who goes unnoticed and who just goes about his business. By being able to ask him specific questions during the interview process, he was much more involved in the exploration process than I knew. Your analytical background will allow us to verify information that allows us to make decisions. He will be our leader on the Canadian side, which is obviously very important to be a successful team. It will have a lot of influence on what we do on draft day. He will be a great asset, he will be very involved in putting together our Ottawa Redblacks exploration system. “

Moreau joined the Redblacks as an assistant football operations in 2018. Prior to that, he worked in a variety of capacities with the Alouettes, eventually becoming assistant football operations and scouts.

The team will still be looking to “add some meat” to its American exploration with regional explorers.