Key Points:

• Saskatchewan Roughriders bid farewell to Head Coach Craig Dickenson after his contract isn’t renewed post the 2023 season.
• Jeremy O’Day secures a new contract, marking his 26th season with the Roughriders, continuing as the VP of Football Operations and General Manager.
• The Roughriders eye a revamping strategy to bounce back from missing the playoffs in consecutive years.

In a decisive move aimed at steering the club towards a promising future, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have chosen not to renew Head Coach Craig Dickenson’s contract for the upcoming 2024 season. The change at the helm comes at a critical juncture, as the Roughriders aim to recover from a less than stellar performance in the past two seasons, missing the playoff berth.

Jeremy O’Day, on the other hand, has inked a new contract with the Roughriders, solidifying his position as the Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager. The forthcoming 2024 season will mark O’Day’s 26th year adorned in Green and White, and his sixth year in the mentioned roles. His tenure has been marked by significant player acquisitions that bolstered the team’s line-up. Notably, the signings of 1,000-yard receivers Shawn Bane Jr. and Samuel Emilus, alongside CFL stars like quarterback Trevor Harris and wide receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker, have been landmark decisions under O’Day’s watch.

The Roughriders’ President and CEO, Craig Reynolds, expressed confidence in O’Day’s ability to scout and bring quality talent to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, echoing a sentiment of optimism as the club ventures into a new era.

While the departure of Coach Dickenson marks the end of an era, his contribution to the Roughriders over the last ten years hasn’t gone unnoticed. From his initial role as Special Teams Coordinator to his final position as the Head Coach, Dickenson’s dedication, kindness, and respect towards the team were often highlighted. His tenure saw the Roughriders clinching a first-place finish in the West Division in 2019 following a 13-5 campaign, although falling short in the West Final against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

However, the script took a negative turn in the subsequent years, with the team finishing at 6-12 in both 2022 and 2023 seasons. The inability to secure a playoff spot in these seasons evidently necessitated a change in leadership to revive the Roughriders’ fortune on the gridiron.

The Roughriders now face the task of identifying a new head coach who can steer the team back to its winning ways. The trust vested in Jeremy O’Day underscores the club’s resolve to build a formidable team that can compete at the highest level in the forthcoming seasons.

With a blend of experienced and emerging talents, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are at the cusp of a new era. The decisions made in the coming months will significantly influence the trajectory of the club, as they aim to return to the playoff picture and contend for the Grey Cup.