QB Coach Buck Pierce
There’s work to be done and truth be told, Buck Pierce has had his sleeves rolled up and has been at it for some time now.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers made official Tuesday what has been speculated for over a month, naming Pierce as the club’s new offensive coordinator following Paul LaPolice’s departure to become the new head coach of the Ottawa REDBLACKS in early December.
Pierce, a popular player during his days as a quarterback with the club, takes on his new role – while keeping his quarterback coach duties – as he heads into his seventh year on the coaching staff.
An often-mentioned name linked to openings across the Canadian Football League over the last few years, Pierce opted to stay in Winnipeg and wait for his opportunity to come with the Bombers.
Now he’s tasked with working on an attack with the Bombers that led the league in rushing and finished second in offensive touchdowns, but also finished last in passing yardage while working with three different starting quarterbacks in Matt Nichols, Chris Streveler and Zach Collaros – none of which are currently under contract heading into the 2020 season.
Pierce spoke with bluebombers.com today about his new role and here is an abridged version of that conversation…
Bluebombers.com: This is a move that had been rumoured for a long time, dating back to LaPo’s departure to Ottawa in early December. Still, now that it’s official, what are you feeling right now?
Pierce: It’s extremely exciting. I feel fortunate to have been with the organization for as long as I have, to be able to learn under some excellent coaches and a great staff. I’m excited to get going.
Bluebombers.com: A lot of guys play the game, but not everyone is made out to be or wants to be a coach. Have you always had that desire?
Pierce: My passion for the game and my approach to the game carried over easily to the coaching profession. Early in my coaching career when I was coaching running backs I saw how much time it took to prep for a week. And then just to watch those guys you care about and spend time with go out and execute and have success, that’s a great feeling. I really find joy in that as a teacher and a coach. That’s a huge draw to me as a coach – watching players have success.
Bluebombers.com: It’s been widely documented that other teams have pursued you in the past. Why did you stay with the Bombers and why do you feel right about this next step now to coordinator?
Pierce: I’ve felt like I’ve been ready for a while. But I also understand about things being right and the timing being right. And it had to be the right fit. I’ve always been a guy that worked hard and enjoyed what I was doing at the time without worrying about the next step or the next job or opportunity. If you live in the moment and put everything you have into what you’re doing at the time and good things will happen to you.
I’ve been very fortunate, like I said, to be around great players and quality coaches to learn from and continue to learn from. Working with Mike (O’Shea) for six years now has been great for me. I’ve always liked the direction the organization was going and the pieces we had in place. I said back in 2014 when I got into the coaching profession I wanted to see the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have success and experience that. Being a part of that from my transition as a player into the coaching ranks has been special.
My relationship with Paul LaPolice and the other guys on staff really fostered an environment of learning. I’ve enjoyed coming to work every day, the people in the building and the players around me.
Bluebombers.com: We know your wife Lori is from Winnipeg and your kids Bailey and Bo were born here. But how does a guy born in Kansas, raised in California who went to college in New Mexico get to love this town as much as you do?
Pierce: I was thinking about it the other day… I’ll be going into my 16th year in the CFL now and it’s been a decade in Winnipeg. I’m 38 years old, so I’ve spent a good chunk of my life in Winnipeg now. It just feels like home to me. I’ve got deep-rooted friendships in the community. My kids (Bailey is four, Bo is two) will go to school here. My wife is from here… this is home from me. I’ve enjoyed every step of the way.
Bluebombers.com: I’m a Winnipegger, so I feel OK with saying this: you have to live here to get it, don’t you think? I’m sure you hear from people all the time, ‘Why the hell are you staying there?’
Pierce: (Laughs) That statement is correct. You have to embrace the community to understand what it’s all about. From the sports side of things… I’m a guy who came to Winnipeg because of my profession. But coming to this market and how I was embraced, it was the perfect fit for me and it continues to be.
It’s an excellent place to raise your kids and I don’t think there are more passionate fans in the CFL than this place right here.
Bluebombers.com: A lot of people will say you’re just going to cut and paste LaPo’s playbook. But everyone has their own ideas… I know it’s early, but how do you want your offence to be described and what will it look like when it’s working?
Pierce: I’ve been asked that question through this process and over the years, so I’ve been thinking about it. The biggest thing is the players dictate what you’re going to look like. I know that sounds vague, but it’s truly our job to put the players in the best possible situations. That changes year to year.
We’re going to do some things we might not have done in the last couple of seasons. But we’ll build on our foundation of who we are and play to our strengths with the players in the building. Week to week that can look different. I’ll always say the players will dictate what we’re going to be and how we’re going to look.
Bluebombers.com: That’s a simple philosophy, but not all coaches live by it. Lots seem to say, ‘This is my system’ and ask the players to adapt to it. Do you think it’s your experiences as a player that have given you this flexibility in your philosophy?
Pierce: Yes, that’s probably part of it. You always look internally first. You look at the guys you have and their strengths and then you foster that as coaches. Having tough physical players and smart players is important. Then you can give them more and have them dictate what the offence is going to look like.
Bluebombers.com: Now that this is official, I imagine there aren’t many hours in the day that go by without you drawing up plays or variations of plays in your head or scribbling them down.
Pierce: There are a lot of thoughts that go through your head on a daily basis. But that’s every coach, every person in this profession. That’s the fun part about it. It really comes back to having a passion for this game.
In the offseason especially, you’re always thinking about plays from last year or from the past. You’ve got to be open to new things as well. You’re always thinking, ‘How about this?’ Or, ‘How about that?’ and then you get to the office write it up and look at it. It will be a fun offseason.
Bluebombers.com: The team announced the signing of Stanley Bryant this week, Jermarcus Hardrick and Drew Wolitarsky before Christmas. You’ve got a good chunk of your O-line already coming back and the best tailback in the league in Andrew Harris under contract. So, there are good pieces in place. But before we go, I’d be remiss if I didn’t ask you this: who is the starting quarterback going to be? Kyle Walters had said previously he wanted the OC involved in this in terms of evaluation, but are you simply waiting for an answer on that now?
Pierce: We have decisions like this every year. We’ll look over as many things as possible and make the right decision from there.
Bluebombers.com: Figured that would be your answer.
Pierce: (Laughing) I’ll say it again. I’m excited about this. I’m so looking forward to it. I’m excited to be back for another year with Mike and this staff and like you said, we’ve got some good pieces in place. It’s a good look.
