Scott Milanovich’s return to head coaching with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats has not gone as he had hoped.
In his first year coaching the team, Milanovich has yet to secure a win, with a current record of 0-5. This comes after serving as the offensive play-caller for the CFL team for part of a year and working as an NFL assistant coach for five years. He also had a brief stint as the head coach of the Edmonton Elks, a team he never had the chance to lead due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Previously, Milanovich enjoyed success as the head coach of the Toronto Argonauts for five seasons, culminating in a Grey Cup victory in his debut 2012 season.
With all three other teams in the East having won at least three games by Week 7, the upcoming game against Milanovich’s former team presents a critical opportunity for the struggling Ticats.
Milanovich emphasized the need for a change in the team’s performance following a bye week, highlighting the necessity for both coaches and players to take responsibility for their actions. He stressed the importance of unity moving forward as they aim to turn around their current situation and start winning games.
“We talked today about how are we going to change the narrative and offered potential answers to how we’re going to climb out of this hole we’re in,” Milanovich said Sunday as the team returned from a bye week
“It starts with any time you’re in a hole, you (have to) stop digging first. That’s part of what’s gone on, we’re hurting ourselves. Secondly, we’ve tried to take ownership as coaches for what we’ve done that hasn’t helped and players have to take ownership of what they’ve done that hasn’t helped because we’re in this together. The only way we get out of this is together. I’m looking for that kind of unity going forward.”
Here's how we're looking after 6 weeks.
Any surprises? #CFL pic.twitter.com/Ifb4Wuuofe
— CFL (@CFL) July 15, 2024
Milanovich has faced challenging times, losing 16 out of his last 17 games as a head coach since his tenure in Toronto.
Despite this streak of losses, Milanovich’s coaching abilities remain intact. The team he inherited from Toronto was declining, and he has now taken charge of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, a team that has struggled in recent seasons.
As a former quarterback himself, Milanovich has helped elevate veteran QB Bo Levi Mitchell’s performance to a much higher standard compared to the past two years. Mitchell currently ranks second in the league for both passing yards and passing touchdowns.
While there have been positive developments, there is a prevailing sense of urgency. A loss in the upcoming game could pose significant challenges for the team to overcome.
Considering the stakes, Milanovich refrained from downplaying the importance of the rivalry between the two teams by avoiding the cliché ‘it’s only one game’ response.
“I think our fans are particularly hateful of the group just up the road,” he said. “It means a lot, it means more than another game. That’s why it’s a rivalry. Sometimes, I think the media and others make more out of it than it is. I don’t think that’s the case in this one.”
Turning attention to winless teams in the CFL…
The Edmonton Elks, who like another winless team stand at 0-5, took action on Monday by dismissing GM/coach Chris Jones, following the team’s unfortunate third consecutive loss due to a last-second field goal.
With a disappointing record of 8-33 over two-plus years in Edmonton, it was clear that a change in leadership was necessary.
What added a twist to the situation was that this decision coincided with the community-owned team’s ongoing efforts to transition into private ownership. Interim president/CEO Rick LeLecheur disclosed that he consulted with potential new owners before announcing the decision.
Day 1. Fresh start. #GoElks x @KonicaMinoltaCA pic.twitter.com/2NXEtWTyWK
— Edmonton Elks (@GoElks) July 17, 2024
LeLacheur believed it was urgent to replace Jones with interim coach Jarious Jackson, who also serves as the team’s offensive coordinator. After losing to the Ottawa Redblacks last Sunday, the Elks have a tight schedule with a rematch against Ottawa in the nation’s capital on Friday.
Jackson confirmed that he will continue with veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson as the starting quarterback but mentioned his intention to involve speedy Canadian QB Tre Ford more. Fans showed their support for Ford, who had some playing time as Edmonton’s starter last season, by chanting for his inclusion in the previous game.
“I don’t want to reveal all the details, but I’m exploring ways to incorporate him into our strategy and help him get onto the field,” Jackson stated on Tuesday.
Tough times for the offensive line
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are facing challenges with injuries.
After losing quarterback Trevor Harris to a knee injury (placed on the six-game injured list), the Roughriders suffered another blow as they revealed that right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick will be sidelined for an extended period due to a quadriceps problem.
Jermarcus Hardrick is out long term with a quadriceps injury.
Mace didn’t rule him out for the year but he will miss an extended period of time. #Riders #CFL
— Taylor Shire (@Taylor_Shire) July 16, 2024
In 2021 and 2023, Hardrick, a CFL all-star with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, was among the key signings for the team this off-season. He now joins fellow offensive lineman Philip Blake on the sidelines due to a quad injury.
The Roughriders suffered their first loss under new head coach Corey Mace last week in B.C. after starting the season with four straight wins. They are now facing a significant test of their depth.
In the upcoming game of the week
The Blue Bombers, who have won their last two games after an initial 0-4 start, will play against the injury-plagued Roughriders in Saskatchewan in a highly anticipated rivalry matchup. Winnipeg is currently favored, which could serve as motivation for young quarterback Shea Patterson and the home team.
The attendance for the Roughriders’ last home game was the lowest since Mosaic Stadium opened in 2017, with only 23,923 fans in attendance. Despite drawing fans from all over the province, Thursday nights have not been favorable for the Roughriders in terms of attendance. This number was particularly disappointing for a team often seen as the flagship franchise of the league.
In an attempt to boost attendance for the upcoming Friday game against Winnipeg, Mace, who was hired this off-season following two playoff-missing seasons for the Roughriders, took to social media to appeal for a larger crowd.
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