By Canadian Press

Ottawa Redblacks, head coach Rick Campbell part ways

Nov 4, 2019 | 9:36 AM

Ottawa Redblacks head coach Rick Campbell will not return next season.

The Redblacks parted ways with Campbell on Monday. The team said Campbell informed the club he felt he could not continue as head coach after the Redblacks finished last in the CFL with a record of 3-15.

“Rick Campbell thought our relationship wasn’t good enough for him to continue,” general manager Marcel Desjardins said. “The stress of this season must have been a factor in that.”

When asked about his relationship with the GM, Campbell said, “I do not dislike Marcel. Sometimes relationships have to jive and to communicate well and sometimes when you don’t have that, it makes things tougher.”

The Redblacks say they will pay Campbell next season, the final year of his contract. But he is free to look for other opportunities.

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“At the end of the day I take complete responsibility for everything, but I also know that all of the success we’ve had in the past is a group effort so as much as I am the person to answer for this at the end of the day, there are a lot of things that happened,” Desjardins said. 

Campbell had been coach of the Redblacks since their expansion 2014 season. He guided Ottawa to the Grey Cup game in three of the past four seasons, winning the title in 2016.

“Some pretty magic moments and I won’t forget them,” says Campbell, who then struggled to speak to reporters as he fought back tears.

“I’d say I’m sorry (for being emotional), but I’m sad.”

Last off-season, the Redblacks lost several star players in free agency, including quarterback Trevor Harris.

The Redblacks opted to go with prior backup Dominique Davis and CFL veteran Jonathon Jennings as their top two quarterbacks this season. After a 2-0 start, the Redblacks faltered badly.

— With files from Lisa Wallace in Ottawa

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 4, 2019.

The Canadian Press