The team announced today that defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Greg Marshall, defensive line coach Richard Harris, receivers coach and Canadian college draft coordinator Bob Dyce and running backs and special teams coach Cory McDiarmid will return as members of head coach Doug Berry’s staff for the 2007 season.
As per team policy, terms of their respective deals were not disclosed.
“Obviously I’m really pleased to have these four people returning to our coaching staff,” Berry said. “We are definitely looking forward to their return.
“Having Greg Marshall back gives us continuity on the defensive side of the ball as does the return of Richard Harris. Now we want to compliment them with a defensive backs coach who will be able to integrate into our defensive philosophy and continue to keep us improving as a defensive unit.
“Cory McDiarmid did a great job on special teams and we’re glad to have him back so we can continue in the same vein. Bob Dyce is integral to what we are doing on offence, understands what we are doing there, and has demonstrated his knowledge through his ability to teach not only skills, but also schemes.”
After surrendering more yards than any CFL defence in history in 2005, the Bomber defence enjoyed one of the biggest single season turnarounds in Marshall’s first year at the helm in ‘06. The Big Blue gave up the third fewest points of any CFL team (408), an improvement of 150 points from the previous year. The Bombers’ D ranked in the Top Three in the CFL in 14 defensive categories in ’06, including fewest first downs passing allowed (185, 1st), fewest yards total offence allowed (5,500, 3rd), fewest yards net passing allowed (4,235, 2nd) and fewest average yards passing per game allowed (235.3). The squad didn’t rank in the top three of any defensive category in 2005.
Harris was another key contributor to the Blue & Gold’s defensive turnaround in ’06. The Bombers’ D-line was arguably the most feared unit in the league. Defensive tackle Doug Brown earned CFL All-Star honours and finished as the runner-up in balloting for the CFL’s Outstanding Canadian Award. Sophomore defensive end Gavin Walls followed-up his CFL Rookie of the Year season by leading the team in quarterback sacks (11) for the second year in a row and being named a CFL East Division All-Star. Meanwhile, DE Tom Canada was once again among the league leaders in sacks (10) while DT Ron Warner re-established himself as one of the CFL’s most fearsome D-linemen in his return to the team.
Dyce helped ageless wonder Milt Stegall (79 receptions, 1,269 yards and seven TDs) to enjoy one of the most productive seasons of his stellar CFL career. He was also a steadying influence on the rest of the Bombers receiving corps including Chris Brazzell (43 catches for 604 yards) and newcomer Derick Armstrong (25 catches for 302 yards and three TDs in just five games). As the team’s Canadian talent sleuth, Dyce has helped discover a number of non-import gems, including recent draftees receiver Arjei Franklin and offensive lineman Dominic Picard.
McDiarmid played a key role in making the Bombers’ special teams units special in ‘06. Return specialist Albert Johnson III led the CFL in punt returns (85) and punt return yardage (810). He was also among the league-leaders in kickoff return yardage with 1,000 yards on 50 kickoff returns. The team also had three of the Top 10 special teams tacklers in the league in Shawn Gallant (24), Kyries Hebert (23) and Graeme Bell (19).
The football club also announced today that offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Mike Gibson has resigned to pursue other football opportunities.
