[SteelTown]

The GM guessing game
A look at possible candidates who could be the next Ticat general manager

November 06, 2007
Steve Milton
The Hamilton Spectator
(Nov 6, 2007)

Team president Scott Mitchell made official yesterday what had been widely anticipated for weeks.

The next Hamilton Tiger-Cat general manager will have CFL experience as a GM.

And, in other shocking news, the Ticats will try to get some better players. Mitchell has a plan of attack that likely involves a primo choice and someone else he'd be nearly as happy to have.

The Ticat prez is well-connected throughout the CFL and those people he's targeted are very aware that they've got a lucrative bull's eye attached to their chest.

It's also probable that the top couple of choices are working somewhere among the six teams still in contention. If that weren't the case, the Ticats would have a new general manager this morning.

Here's a look at the potential candidates:

Bob O'Billovich: One of the most intriguing possibilities. He's 67, but is still an energetic, effective talent judge and recruiter as B.C.'s director of player personnel. Obee has been GM of both the Argos and the Lions and still lives in Oakville. One possible scenario would be to secure O'Billovich as GM, then provide him with a bright young trainee who could move seamlessly into the Big Chair in a few years.

Jim Popp: It's widely expected that Popp will be ordered to give up head coaching and concentrate on the GM job. But has all the controversy surrounding the Alouettes also eroded his cachet as GM there? Will team president Larry Smith and owner Bob Wetenhall decide they need a fresh start in the front office too? Mitchell has his ears to the ground on that one which, in itself, will give Smith and Wetenhall cause for caution.

Jim Barker: He's been the head coach of the Argos and Stampeders, and the GM of the Stampeders the past three seasons. Could be liberated from the dissatisfied Stamps, and is a strong candidate although the people in Calgary don't think so.

Wally Buono: Solid as a rock in B.C, and not going anywhere. Still, Mitchell might make a call to Lions' owner David Braley, a Hamilton lad, just in case. Stranger things have happened. But not many of them.

Roy Shivers: If so, why isn't the former Riders' GM here now?

Adam Rita: Has done a terrific job as GM with the Argos, and has won six Grey Cups in various capacities and cities. Deeply-entrenched in the Toronto organization and not likely to move but might want a new challenge if there's a refitting of the organizational chart. This is an extreme long shot.

Brendan Taman: Has impressively restocked the Bombers and has a great gig there. He's a friend of Mitchell's but it's unlikely that he'd want to leave the 'Peg or that the Bombers would want to lose him.

Greg Mohns: Adam Rita's assistant GM and director of player personnel, Mohns was the director of personnel and assistant GM of the Tiger-Cats in the early 1990s.

Tom Higgins: Higgins could well be out as Stampeder coach. He served a term as GM of the Eskimos. But he doesn't have the bearing of a Mitchell man.

Dan Maciocia: The Eskimos have missed the playoffs two years running but their coach and de facto GM is likely to survive the wrath of the green and gold. Paul Jones is the talent finder and Mitchell won't really be interested in either of them.

Matt Dunigan: Had a shot at it in Calgary which, in the infamous Feterik era, was less stable than what's gone down in Hamilton. Lives in the area now, but loves the TV stuff. Not experienced enough.

Mike McCarthy: If he were the No. 1 choice, he'd be GM today since he works for the club as player personnel consultant. Has GM'ed successfully in Hamilton, B.C. and Toronto. Is an important part of the Cat organization, with a deep contact list and is one of the few people in the franchise with a connection to a better past. He could get an opportunity to GM elsewhere.

Dan Rambo: Former Ottawa GM, with a respected CFL history, he was brought in as director of football operations partway through this season. That was widely interpreted as manager-in-waiting, but says he likes his current role, and doesn't want to move away from Ottawa. The Cats don't want a GM who isn't living here.

The new GM would be out of his mind not to retain him as No. 2.

Scott Mitchell: Has said he won't do the job, isn't qualified, and has too many other responsibilities in the Bob Young businesses. We'll hold him to that.