"REDBLACKS and Rick Campbell agree to part ways"

It's been a few days since (now-former) REDBLACKS head coach Rick Campbell resigned. I'm going to start with the official release then gather some quotes from the various interviews that have taken place since.

Nov 4th - The Ottawa REDBLACKS and Head Coach Rick Campbell have decided to part ways. After a difficult 3-15 season, Campbell informed the Club that he felt he could not continue as head coach and the club respects his position. 

"I would like to thank the Ottawa REDBLACKS for the last six seasons in this great city," said Campbell. "I'd also like to thank (General Manager) Marcel (Desjardins) for entrusting me with my first CFL head coaching opportunity. Leaving the REDBLACKS was a difficult decision to come to but, at the end of the day, the future of the organization is bigger than any one person and I believe it is in the best interest of the team for me to move on. I also want to thank the fans; RNation, we couldn't have accomplished what we have without you." 

 Photo from cfl.ca

Campbell leaves the REDBLACKS as the only head coach in franchise history. While his biggest success was leading the club to its first Grey Cup championship in 40 years, Campbell also coached the REDBLACKS to two other appearances in the championship game, the first coming in just the club’s second year of existence. That success included transforming a 2-16 expansion team in 2014 into Grey Cup finalists the next year through key free agent signings and the emergence of young prospects. The following year, the REDBLACKS would win it all.  

"On behalf of the Ottawa REDBLACKS, I want to thank Rick for his dedication since becoming our first-ever Head Coach," said Desjardins. "Rick's passion for coaching helped put our team on the CFL map and we will always be thankful for that. We wish Rick all the best in the next step of his career."

Campbell: “There are some pretty magic moments I won’t forget, I’m going to remember those moments...Going down Bank St. in the Grey Cup parade, are you kidding me? Literally, through my neighbourhood. That’s good shit there, pardon my language. I’m going to remember the good stuff, I appreciate it.”

"I know it feels like the right thing. I wanted to be really sure because it's been a long year with a lot of losing that I wasn't being rash or overly emotional making a poor decision. 

“Not to get into all the specifics, but I really didn’t like it when there were people who left here with a bad taste in their mouth — the list was getting a little long. You have to treat people well, you have to treat them right, empower them, value them. If you do that, people will go through the wall for you. If you don’t, it can make it tougher."

“I just want to make sure all the people who have left this place feel appreciated and feel valued. It wasn’t a power play or anything like that. It was about everybody pulling in the same direction and making it a fun place to work — for me, that was slipping, but that’s on me.

“I do not dislike Marcel, it’s not about that. Marcel’s got a lot of knowledge, there’s a reason why we won around here. Maybe it’s me that’s changed. If you know Marcel, he’s pretty consistent in how he acts. I would guess as it’s more me changing than him. Sometimes relationships have to jive to be able to communicate. It’s nothing against Marcel, I’ll put it on me too, I have to be a better communicator.”

OSEG CEO/president Mark Goudie: “My full expectation was both Marcel and Rick would be back next year and we’d be able to turn the page on what’s been a difficult 2019 and get back to where we should be at this time of year — preparing for a home playoff game,” said OSEG CEO/president Mark Goudie."

“Marcel has full authority and autonomy to put the football ops and coaching staff together, I’ll stay out of his kitchen on that. I’ll probably participate in the interview process, more for explaining the organization and what the Redblacks and OSEG are all about. Marcel has carte blanche to figure out what the staff will look like next year.”

Ottawa Redblacks general manager Marcel Desjardins, left, and Ottawa Sports and Entertainment president and CEO Mark Goudie speak to reporters about the news that head coach Rick Campbell will leave the team Monday. - Justin Tang , The Canadian Press

Desjardins: “I found out from Mark before I found out from Rick. The conversation after the fact was that he didn’t think our relationship was good enough for him to want to continue in this arrangement. Obviously, the stress of this season must have played a factor in that.

“I’m as surprised as everybody else by this outcome. My expectation was Rick would be back and we’d work together to try and get this thing straightened out. Today is kind of a strange day, an unexpected day. Rick’s a good guy, he takes everything to heart — he and I are similar in a lot of ways.

“I take complete responsibility for everything, but I also know all of the success we’ve had in the past, it was a group effort. As much as I’m the person to answer for this, there are a lot of things that happened, some of those were under my control. But there are a lot of things that didn’t work out — whether it be on the coaching side or injuries — that’s unfortunate, but at the end of the day, it’s my fault, it’s my responsibility.”