CFL 2024

[Heavy Dee]

Kilam sounds really impressive

 

[Heavy Dee]

I'm less in the know, and following less but I don't know how Kilam is a slamdunk great hire as head coach here when he hasn't been that elsewhere and where he has instead been an assistant coach on a losing and failing Stampeders club.

So I'm not understanding others reactions. Is the support of this just due to avoiding Rick Campbell as head coach or do people think Kilam has what it takes?

Seems odd to me as well Kilam is signed 3yrs as headcoach when he's barely been anything other than special teams coach or strength conditioning coach in Calgary. Yes I know he's been assistant coach for a few seasons. Calgary let him go for undisclosed reasons. So that we're hiring a person who has never been a headcoach and one who was even let go as an assistant.

Did you listen to anything he said today?

Some guys just need an opportunity.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Did you listen to anything he said today?

Some guys just need an opportunity.

meh, I hate the Stamps and there wasn't a more dislikeable personality on that team or sidelines than the constantly irate complaining Kilam. Can't stand the guys mannerisms on the pitch. Seems to be escalated a lot, and thats just with a limited role. With Hervey at helm and fiery Kilam at helm I could see this club having discipline problems. Can't stand Kilam though. Another guy like Eakins that seems to love the camera and constantly trying to get in it.

That said I prefer controlled benches. Guys like KK work for me. Want to see somebody calm on the bench, not losing their shit constantly. Seemed like even Dickenson tired of Kilam getting in all in his face. I'm not like most but I sure wouldn't take well to something like this. If you watched the games Kilam losing it was becoming a regular sight. Has been for years really. Some people like this sort of thing in a person. Not me.

.

Its probably a personality thing but I just dislike Kilam. i could see how some would like the fire. For sure not someone I would take direction from. To me this guy is worse than Herdman for losing his shit.

 

[timekeep]

Did you listen to anything he said today?

Some guys just need an opportunity.

Just heard him on Gregor, he sounds like a guy that needs a shot. I haven't been looking forward to a CFL season for a very long time. This last one triggered me as I knew that the Thompsons were trying to buy the Esks but then the Esks just kept screwing around. But once the deal was finally done, so was the Esks season.

Don't understand why we would want another recycled CFL coach. Kilam has lots of experience, I'm very bored by the Oilers system of coaching hires, nothing new with them.

meh, I hate the Stamps and there wasn't a more dislikeable personality on that team or sidelines than the constantly irate complaining Kilam. Can't stand the guys mannerisms on the pitch. Seems to be escalated a lot, and thats just with a limited role. With Hervey at helm and fiery Kilam at helm I could see this club having discipline problems. Can't stand Kilam though. Another guy like Eakins that seems to love the camera and constantly trying to get in it.

That said I prefer controlled benches. Guys like KK work for me. Want to see somebody calm on the bench, not losing their shit constantly. Seemed like even Dickenson tired of Kilam getting in all in his face. I'm not like most but I sure wouldn't take well to something like this. If you watched the games Kilam losing it was becoming a regular sight. Has been for years really. Some people like this sort of thing in a person. Not me.

. View attachment 939001

Its probably a personality thing but I just dislike Kilam. i could see how some would like the fire. For sure not someone I would take direction from. To me this guy is worse than Herdman for losing his shit.

Hmmm, I didn't watch many games lately, are thinking he is another Maas? I couldn't stand his act when he was here and I couldn't stand Maciocia either though.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Just heard him on Gregor, he sounds like a guy that needs a shot. I haven't been looking forward to a CFL season for a very long time. This last one triggered me as I knew that the Thompsons were trying to buy the Esks but then the Esks just kept screwing around. But once the deal was finally done, so was the Esks season.

Don't understand why we would want another recycled CFL coach. Kilam has lots of experience, I'm very bored by the Oilers system of coaching hires, nothing new with them.


Hmmm, I didn't watch many games lately, are thinking he is another Maas? I couldn't stand his act when he was here and I couldn't stand Maciocia either though.

Kilam was far more animated, always than even what Maas showed here. The guy was so aggravating I think teams just wanted to beat the Stamps even more. Like I say I worry about Hervey and Kilam being the lynchpins now. I was OK with Hervey himself but I think the combo of having another mercurial sort, its not the best. Really do with Kilam get that Eakins Vibe that he's the most qualified in the room. Several times last season he was ranting and going around upset and even at Dickenson. Not something I'd tolerate for an instant and ultimately Stamps didn't. Something happened I suspect. As recently as a year ago Stamps weren't allowing Riders to even talk to Kilam for a potential HC. Now this post season they canned him? That raises some suspicion that he was suddenly no longer in their plans. Usually theres a reason. It turned hard for Kilam in Calgary and frankly I don't think he did well with that. The Elks are likely to struggle at times. How will Kilam be with that.

I think its a given in anycase Kilam ended up on the wrong side of a Dickenson power struggle. We'll see how that goes for both.

Hard for me to get around as well Stamps being the only club worse than Edmonton and we're looking there for help? Not even the stamps special teams unit that Kilam coached was good this season. Seems like the Stamps have been worse every season since Kilam was elevated to AC as well.

 

[brentashton]

Obviously he has to prove his cachet as a HC, but when Sask turfed Dickie II, 2 years ago I was hoping that Kilam would surface in Regina. Alas not. At least with Mace we didn’t recycle some old coach like Campbell. He’s got to be the most unimaginative play caller out there.

Kilam gives me vibes of a new age communicator coach that can connect with today’s athletes. He’s always had exciting special teams plays in Calgary too. He animated because he’s involved. I wish him well in Edmonton. I hope proves that he’s a good hire for the EE.

 

[bellagiobob]

 

[MoontoScott]

I knew the Ford situation would look different when the new regime came in. He may not sign with the Elks but he knows that the EE are on their way back to respectability.

The Stamps are in disarray and with Hufnagel heading towards the exit its going to be tougher times for Calgary. Winnipeg looks like their lock on the West is slipping. When Collaros is considered one of the best QBS in the league you realize that nobody is invincible.

Toronto would be an obvious choice for a guy from down East but I have to wonder about a team that doesn't seem to be concerned with Kelly's antics. Obviously Ford is better than their backup.

Hamilton is probably a better choice for Ford but they don't seem to rise to the top as a franchise.

I've said before that my guess is he signs a new 3 year deal with the EE. Stay tuned but I promise that the worst of the franchise woes are behind us.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Obviously he has to prove his cachet as a HC, but when Sask turfed Dickie II, 2 years ago I was hoping that Kilam would surface in Regina. Alas not. At least with Mace we didn’t recycle some old coach like Campbell. He’s got to be the most unimaginative play caller out there.

Kilam gives me vibes of a new age communicator coach that can connect with today’s athletes. He’s always had exciting special teams plays in Calgary too. He animated because he’s involved. I wish him well in Edmonton. I hope proves that he’s a good hire for the EE.

Kilam gives me Eakins and Woodcroft vibes. He's animated, to a manic degree.

 

[Arty Spooners Bsmnt]

meh, I hate the Stamps and there wasn't a more dislikeable personality on that team or sidelines than the constantly irate complaining Kilam. Can't stand the guys mannerisms on the pitch. Seems to be escalated a lot, and thats just with a limited role. With Hervey at helm and fiery Kilam at helm I could see this club having discipline problems. Can't stand Kilam though. Another guy like Eakins that seems to love the camera and constantly trying to get in it.

That said I prefer controlled benches. Guys like KK work for me. Want to see somebody calm on the bench, not losing their shit constantly. Seemed like even Dickenson tired of Kilam getting in all in his face. I'm not like most but I sure wouldn't take well to something like this. If you watched the games Kilam losing it was becoming a regular sight. Has been for years really. Some people like this sort of thing in a person. Not me.

. View attachment 939001

Its probably a personality thing but I just dislike Kilam. i could see how some would like the fire. For sure not someone I would take direction from. To me this guy is worse than Herdman for losing his shit.

Kilam being the most dislikable coach on a team that has Dave Dickenson on it?

 

[Drivesaitl]

Kilam being the most dislikable coach on a team that has Dave Dickenson on it?

Never found Dickenson to be particularly dislikable. Maybe complain about calls a bit too much but he's the standard demeanor on a football field. Kilam is the one that was constantly over the top. I prefer coaches to be composed.

 

[brentashton]

Kilam gives me Eakins and Woodcroft vibes. He's animated, to a manic degree.

Perhaps. We’re going to find out. His presser did seem a bit “eager”

 

[Vagabond]

I actually really like that Ed Hervey is back where he belongs! I like the head coach decision as well. Both are emotional people that have that burning desire to win.

Now all that needs to be done is for the Franchise to rebrand back to the Eskimos!

I've quit watching since they turfed Hervey!

 

[bellagiobob]

Impressed that Hervey did his DD and fired the candidate that he figured fit his vision for the team the best, as opposed to the safe, experienced, but meh choice. I don’t recall a hiring in the CFL recently that has been met with such outpouring of support from current and former players of a coach. People laughed when Detroit hired Campbell, saying being a players coach wasn’t a big deal, etc. Today those people look like fools, as you can’t put a price on the atmosphere and culture created when players have a complete buy in and trust for a coach, and know that he has their backs at all times. Kilam strikes me as a Campbell type of personality, hoping we have the same kind of success that the Lions are having.

 

[bellagiobob]

 

[bone]

Ugh I liked the hiring until seeing jones likes it

Sometimes a decision is so correct that even the jackasses agree with it.

 

[bone]

I'm less in the know, and following less but I don't know how Kilam is a slamdunk great hire as head coach here when he hasn't been that elsewhere and where he has instead been an assistant coach on a losing and failing Stampeders club.

So I'm not understanding others reactions. Is the support of this just due to avoiding Rick Campbell as head coach or do people think Kilam has what it takes?

Seems odd to me as well Kilam is signed 3yrs as headcoach when he's barely been anything other than special teams coach or strength conditioning coach in Calgary. Yes I know he's been assistant coach for a few seasons. Calgary let him go for undisclosed reasons. So that we're hiring a person who has never been a headcoach and one who was even let go as an assistant.

I wouldn't put much emphasis on Dickenson firing him to hire his brother as a being a negative about this guy. Judging by the way some players are starting to talk about the team there, and him being unwilling to reconsider his role in any capacity could be just as much about how bad of a job he's doing after taking on multiple roles. Especially when so many are coming out of the wordwork to talk positively about Killam.

Truth is, we have no idea how well Killam will or won't do. As far as it goes in terms of finding a guy that isn't just a retread, but has a shit ton of experience with a team that only missed playoffs once in his 19 seasons there in varying roles, while still being young enough to be a part of a long term program development here., this is about as good a pick as you can find.

Now we await the results.

 

[bone]

Kilam was far more animated, always than even what Maas showed here. The guy was so aggravating I think teams just wanted to beat the Stamps even more. Like I say I worry about Hervey and Kilam being the lynchpins now. I was OK with Hervey himself but I think the combo of having another mercurial sort, its not the best. Really do with Kilam get that Eakins Vibe that he's the most qualified in the room. Several times last season he was ranting and going around upset and even at Dickenson. Not something I'd tolerate for an instant and ultimately Stamps didn't. Something happened I suspect. As recently as a year ago Stamps weren't allowing Riders to even talk to Kilam for a potential HC. Now this post season they canned him? That raises some suspicion that he was suddenly no longer in their plans. Usually theres a reason. It turned hard for Kilam in Calgary and frankly I don't think he did well with that. The Elks are likely to struggle at times. How will Kilam be with that.

I think its a given in anycase Kilam ended up on the wrong side of a Dickenson power struggle. We'll see how that goes for both.

Hard for me to get around as well Stamps being the only club worse than Edmonton and we're looking there for help? Not even the stamps special teams unit that Kilam coached was good this season. Seems like the Stamps have been worse every season since Kilam was elevated to AC as well.

Might also be a factor that that was the same time that Dickenson started taking on GM responsibilities. 12-6, 8-6, then 12-6 again the first three years Killam took Assistant HC. Then Dickinson took on the GM role and now they've gone 6-12, 5-12-1 in the two years that follow.

The recent downfall could be just as much be a new GM not doing very well in his expanded role and scapegoating all his staff this summer to absolve himself.

Dickinson himself is one of the most animated coaches out there. Would it not make sense that those working under him would do similar?

That said, I do think your point about his sideline comportment is valid. Fortunately though Hervey's a little more seasoned now and has gone through a bit of that already with Maas and Claybourne, so he may be a bit better of a mentor to help guide Killam through that. If they think Killam's got the best mind for the game of those available, they can work on the other stuff.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Might also be a factor that that was the same time that Dickenson started taking on GM responsibilities. 12-6, 8-6, then 12-6 again the first three years Killam took Assistant HC. Then Dickinson took on the GM role and now they've gone 6-12, 5-12-1 in the two years that follow.

The recent downfall could be just as much be a new GM not doing very well in his expanded role and scapegoating all his staff this summer to absolve himself.

Dickinson himself is one of the most animated coaches out there. Would it not make sense that those working under him would do similar?

That said, I do think your point about his sideline comportment is valid. Fortunately though Hervey's a little more seasoned now and has gone through a bit of that already with Maas and Claybourne, so he may be a bit better of a mentor to help guide Killam through that. If they think Killam's got the best mind for the game of those available, they can work on the other stuff.

Dickenson animation falls within normative coaching behavior. Most of his stuff is complaining about coaches or certain misplays and will communicate that verbally or facially. Most experienced coaches know that players sometimes need space. A vet like Dickenson will normally give that and is patient with players. The difficulty with individuals like Hervey and Kalim is that they are so alpha they can go at individuals more. People won't talk about that side as much.

I was prepared for the return of Hervey. That provided that an equally strong personality with not the same tendencies would be Head Coach. Hervey and Kilam are too much the same and won't check each other. I'll go back to referencing Eakins/MacT. Mactavish famously went to interview Eakins for an AC job and got so snowed he hired the guy on the spot as a HC. McT saying "this guy impressed me so much, he's just like me" Notice in the presser how much Hervey and Kilam love what each other is. This doesn't result in a non biased hire. We're in for a ride in anycase and it won't be boring.

 

[Drivesaitl]

I wouldn't put much emphasis on Dickenson firing him to hire his brother as a being a negative about this guy. Judging by the way some players are starting to talk about the team there, and him being unwilling to reconsider his role in any capacity could be just as much about how bad of a job he's doing after taking on multiple roles. Especially when so many are coming out of the wordwork to talk positively about Killam.

Truth is, we have no idea how well Killam will or won't do. As far as it goes in terms of finding a guy that isn't just a retread, but has a shit ton of experience with a team that only missed playoffs once in his 19 seasons there in varying roles, while still being young enough to be a part of a long term program development here., this is about as good a pick as you can find.

Now we await the results.

Honestly I wouldn't credit Kilam as much for the Calgary results. I would actually credit a solid org run by Hugnagel, Dickenson, etc, and that established decades of stability there. Kilam was a bit piece of that, although he won't think that. Some people watched the presser and figured out that "we're going to play an Edmonton way, and that the town has grit, works hard, etc, that these were just standard issue platitudes. Easy things to say without saying anything. We just had an Oilers coach that was like that. Kalim is a populist.

I do agree that Dickenson bit off more in his roles but we don't know the whole backstory on that either. I do wonder that some of the Dickenson criticism is unfair and that the Stamps like most CFL operations are having to pare down costs. He probably couldn't defer work as much as he would have liked and the thing that has been mentioned on other sites is that some players are upset that they weren't getting what they wanted in contracts, in pay. This too being a primary issue with having both coach and manager roles.

That said players will credit Kilam because he plays the good cop "I'm your friend" role. Theres problems with that approach in coaching or management. Conversely Dickenson had to make hard decisions in Calgary in fiscally tight times (and remember how a covid epidemic and lost season impacts this) and not everybody likes him for it. Of course we've heard Kadeems take, I wouldn't put any stock in it.

 

[bone]

Honestly I wouldn't credit Kilam as much for the Calgary results. I would actually credit a solid org run by Hugnagel, Dickenson, etc, and that established decades of stability there. Kilam was a bit piece of that, although he won't think that. Some people watched the presser and figured out that "we're going to play an Edmonton way, and that the town has grit, works hard, etc, that these were just standard issue platitudes. Easy things to say without saying anything. We just had an Oilers coach that was like that. Kalim is a populist.

I do agree that Dickenson bit off more in his roles but we don't know the whole backstory on that either. I do wonder that some of the Dickenson criticism is unfair and that the Stamps like most CFL operations are having to pare down costs. He probably couldn't defer work as much as he would have liked and the thing that has been mentioned on other sites is that some players are upset that they weren't getting what they wanted in contracts, in pay. This too being a primary issue with having both coach and manager roles.

That said players will credit Kilam because he plays the good cop "I'm your friend" role. Theres problems with that approach in coaching or management. Conversely Dickenson had to make hard decisions in Calgary in fiscally tight times (and remember how a covid epidemic and lost season impacts this) and not everybody likes him for it. Of course we've heard Kadeems take, I wouldn't put any stock in it.

Well at least we can say things getting interesting here. When was the last time there was serious Eskimos/Elks talk in December that was actually somewhat optimistic? Might be at least 10 years ago now.

We'll see how it goes. Killam may or may not prove to be the right choice in the long run, but I can at least see the logic and hope he knocks it out of the park.

 

[bone]

Of note, I really liked the comment about "something has been taken away from you".

In a separate interview (I think it was with Reid Wilkins) he was asked to elaborate on it and while he did his best not to outright state it, it seemed clear he was referencing the name and if not specially the loss of the name, at minimum what the name signifified to its fans. I do believe they will be doing everything in their power to reestablish what it is that we as fans loved about the team even if it isn't winning right away.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Well at least we can say things getting interesting here. When was the last time there was serious Eskimos/Elks talk in December that was actually somewhat optimistic? Might be at least 10 years ago now.

Oh, interesting, certainly. Hervey didn't select the meek thats for sure. But Jones wasn't either and big personalities typically play favorites. The problem, here, and was in Calgary is how to have a cohesive and tight room. Not everybody follows this nature of Leadership as we saw with Jones. That said sometimes this can be pulled off for short term, that you can get buy in for a season or so. Sometimes cracks occur after that. Hervey was a hard person to work with. I haven't followed him as much since but its interesting he's back. I like Hervey. But he's somebody that needs to be checked time to time. Not sure who will do that.

 

[bone]

Oh, interesting, certainly. Hervey didn't select the meek thats for sure. But Jones wasn't either and big personalities typically play favorites. The problem, here, and was in Calgary is how to have a cohesive and tight room. Not everybody follows this nature of Leadership as we saw with Jones. That said sometimes this can be pulled off for short term, that you can get buy in for a season or so. Sometimes cracks occur after that. Hervey was a hard person to work with. I haven't followed him as much since but its interesting he's back. I like Hervey. But he's somebody that needs to be checked time to time. Not sure who will do that.

That's where Morris can step in as Hervey respects Morris. Whenever Rhodes tried to check him it sounds he put as much stock in his opinion as you'd expect a football guy to value the opinion of a ketchup salesman. Also, Hervey's now been burnt a couple times by his approach so he's likely more receptive to feedback even when he doesn't like it.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Of note, I really liked the comment about "something has been taken away from you".

In a separate interview (I think it was with Reid Wilkins) he was asked to elaborate on it and while he did his best not to outright state it, it seemed clear he was referencing the name and if not specially the loss of the name, at minimum what the name signifified to its fans.

Its the easy fish in the stocked pond. Kilam is no idiot. He knows what to say. But thats standard issue speech. Platitudes and sounding off on what people want to hear. Sure talking about the name, but also talking about the caliber of football club that was taken away from us after Reilly.

No doubt Hervey is a competitor. Kilam is intense.

No doubt there will be passion. Not everything is solved with hype and passion. Remember Cui? Ended up being fat nothing. All statements, promises and nothing. The sales job is easy to the right crowd. Getting the quality goods delivered always another matter.