Roughriders name Craig Dickenson as new head coach

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have named Craig Dickenson as their new head coach. He replaces Chris Jones and becomes the team’s 47th head coach in its history.

Newly minted general manager and vice president of football operations Jeremy O’Day announced the internal hire Friday afternoon.

“I want to thank Jeremy O’Day and the Saskatchewan Roughriders for giving me this great opportunity,” Dickenson said. “It is a great honour to be the head coach of this storied franchise. I look forward to working with this talented group of players and coaches moving forward.”

The 2018 CFL season was Dickenson’s third with the club, all of which he’s worked as the Roughriders special teams coordinator; he held the same role with the Riders during the 2011 and 2012 seasons. He’ll retain his special teams coordinator role as he takes over head coaching duties.

The 2019 season will be Dickenson’s 17th as a CFL coach and his 14th as a special teams coordinator.

“Craig is extremely respected by our players and staff. His dedication, intelligence and leadership will be an integral part of our future success,” O’Day said.

Before returning to Saskatchewan in 2016, the Great Falls, Mont. native spent two seasons with the Edmonton Eskimos and one with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

In 2011, then-Riders head coach Ken Miller commended Dickenson on his potential to earn a head coaching job.

“The way he organizes, the way he prepares, the rapport he has with players, his ability to evaluate and motivate; all of those indicate that he is a serious candidate at some time in the near future,” Miller said.

Dickenson is a two-time Grey Cup champion, having won CFL titles with the Eskimos in 2015 and the Calgary Stampeders in 2008.