Courtesy Calgary Herald:

Tom Higgins is a patient man, so if anybody is well-suited to dealing with complaints about Canadian Football League officiating, it’s him.

And with 26 years of CFL experience as a player and coach, he finally will get a look at the zebras from the other side after being introduced on Tuesday as the league’s new director of officiating.

Higgins, who was let go after three years as coach and general manager of the Calgary Stampeders following last November’s playoff elimination in Regina, replaces George Black in the position, and he couldn’t be happier.

“This is a little bit outside the box, but not that far,” said Higgins, a two-time CFL coach of the year, who will be relocating to Toronto from Calgary with his wife, Sharon.

“We don’t play this game without the officials, and I think I have a feeling and understanding for what they need to do. There is a learning curve, but I’ll be surrounded by people who have the expertise to get me through.

“Hopefully, it’s a breath of fresh air, and you have to start out believing that this is going to be a great marriage.”

Black is being retained as the CFL’s senior adviser of football operations, which Higgins said was one of his priorities.

“We live and breathe the Canadian Football League, and asking him to stay on was actually my first call,” said Higgins, 53.

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Tags: Canada, CFL, CFLPA, Football