Some people may chuckle a bit at Joe Paopao's career change -- from CFL head coach to a CIS assistant inside of two years. It's doubtful this has even happened before, but it's ultimately it's good for Canadian university football.Paopao, by most accounts a good man who was hung out to dry by the Ottawa Renegades former owners, the Glieberguys, has signed on as the assistant head coach and offensive co-ordinator of the Waterloo Warriors.
Yes, that means this fall's Waterloo-Western Mustangs game pitting Paopao vs. Greg Marshall -- both of whom were fired by the Ticats in mid-'06 -- will be the Buyout Bowl or something. OK, so the erstwhile Throwin' Samoan has gone from having the reins of a pro team to a co-ordinator's job -- which some OUA teams entrust to coaches in their 20s. Paopao's counterpart with the rival Laurier Golden Hawks is 24-year-old Ryan Pyear, who took the job soon after quarterbacking the team to a national title in 2005. Tom Denison, another former standout CIS pivot who's still south of the big 3-0, was the York Lions' offensive co-ordinator last season, although I'm told he's left that program.
You know what, though? The more coaches who are recognizable names that get involved in the CIS, the better, regardless of what Paopao's involvement will be with Waterloo and whether or not this a one-off (presumably, he's still drawing a salary from the Ticats).
If coaches such as Marshall and Paopao are in university football -- and if they should happen to get their butts beat by teams with lesser-known coaches -- it should open some eyes. That goes for both casual fans who are slow to get into the CIS, and for CFL front offices who may be reticent about hiring Canadians for coaching jobs.
So yes, while the first impulse was to giggle, this is a nice score for the CIS. That said, new Warriors head coach Dennis McPhee have his work cut out for them. Waterloo's gone 9-23 over the past four years (zero playoff appearances), but the fact an established coach is going to a program that needs a turnaround is also positive.
That's all for now. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.
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4 comments:
Oy... Once again, Paopao gets a free pass - the teflon man. "Such a nice fellow". Paopao is incompetent, and was not hung out to dry (at least, until 2005), but instead squandered young talent like there's tomorrow by insisting on playing "his guys" well past their due date. The handling of the Renegades O line was borderline criminal (it would be criminal if I was in charge of making laws in this country). The play calling was uninspired at best, but somehow he got this rep for running an "entertaining offence" because he pulled out a trick play every 4 or 5 games. Meh.
Man, don't get me going like this. ;>
Now that I got that off my chest, you're right that it's great for the CIS, and I suspect Paopao will do well for the kids - lord know he'll never bench anyone who screws up. I hope he stays there and never coaches a team I care about ever again.
Great points, double G.
The point here is that irrespective of Paopao's coaching style -- and the universal opinion seems he lacked the "bad cop" to be a head man -- is that he's a name coach, and having him in the CIS is a good talking point, especially at Waterloo, who hasn't had much to shout about since their last Yates Cup in '99.
You're right, how effective Joe will actually be at UW is another question. A pro-style attack is one thing. Having the personnel to do it and being able to block up front are something else entirely.
i am joe paopao friend im 15..and coach joe is a very good coach..so you haters shut up
When you learn how to spell and punctuate, we'll think about shutting up, although we probably won't.
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