Another former Ti-Cat is returning to Ottawa. Tommy Condell, who last coached in Ottawa for the 2005 season, returns to the city after nearly 20 years away. This move reunited him with his former quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, and former Senior Director of Player Personnel Shawn Burke.

Ti-Cats Connection

Condell joins Ottawa after nine years of experience calling plays at the college or CFL level. He has also overseen quarterbacks for a total of ten seasons, working as a wide receivers or tight ends coach for fifteen seasons, and running backs for another two seasons.

During the 2023 season Hamilton and Condell decided to part ways after poor performances by his offense as of late. Condell left Hamilton after watching his unit average just 20 points per game over the first nine weeks of the season. Hamilton’s offense failed to score more than 16 points five out of eight games prior to his dismissal, and managed over 20 points just three times. Topping 30 points just twice.

While it’s a puzzling move when approaching the move with the help of recency bias. Let’s not forget though that it was Condell’s offensive guidance that led Hamilton to a 29.95 average or 599 points in 20 games during his first season as offensive coordinator en route to a Grey Cup loss, and a 15-3 regular season record, including a 64 point output in week 2. 

Could this Mean Masoli Starts Again?

In fact, Masoli was on pace for one of the best years of his career under Condell in 2019 before an injury shut down those hopes. Through just six games he was averaging 9 yards per pass attempt, the second highest mark of his career, and one he would match in 2021 his last under Condell. He collected 1,576 yards, and 9 passing touchdowns. He was on pace for 4,728 yards, and 27 touchdowns both of which would rank as the second most in his career.

In total Masoli spent five seasons in Condell’s offense. This would point strongly at the likelihood that Masoli will head into a third straight season as the incumbent starter despite injuries ending his last four seasons early. My question isn’t his ability to find success with Masoli, but in fact what he is able to do with the other quarterbacks on the roster.

Long Term Development Should Be the Focus

Can he continue to develop Dustin Crum, Tyrie Adams, and Tyrrell Pigrome, or is this move simply about preparing for Masoli’s return to the field? Banking on Masoli to get right at this point for Ottawa should be considered Risky Business. Except in this movie, there will be no light-hearted ending unless the Redblacks prepare for life without Masoli as well.