Courtesy Calgary Herald:

It’s the calm before the storm.

Calgary Stampeders coach and general manager John Hufnagel wrapped up the Canadian Football League draft two weeks ago. And with training camp about two weeks away, the 56-year-old sent his assistant coaches home to relax.

He’s escaped to his permanent home in Jacksonville, Fla., to spend some quality time with his wife of nearly 35 years, Penny. It’s his final chance to charge the batteries before the grind of his first season as coach and general manager of the Stampeders begins.

Not that he’s mentally worn out. Quite the opposite, in fact.

He’s been re-energized to get this opportunity after, in essence, being paid to stay at home last season when he was let go from his job as offensive co-ordinator of the New York Giants.

It could have been a frustrating experience, but the fact he was still drawing a paycheque from the Giants eased the pain.

And he took advantage of the opportunity, travelling back to his home state of Pennsylvania a few times, taking in a game at his alma mater, Penn State, even tailgating for the first time prior to the Penn State-Notre Dame game.

“I’m not one to put my head in the sand and feel sorry for myself,” he says. “Did I do things that I hadn’t been able to do over the course of my coaching and playing career? Yes. I did a lot of travelling, I reconnected with some friends, and enjoyed it. And I tried to do whatever I could to arrange things to take advantage of upcoming situations.”

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