Courtesy Hamilton Spectator:
Scott Mitchell certainly has some options to consider as he searches for someone to fill the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ vacant GM’s post.

Mitchell, the Ticats’ president, fired Marcel Desjardins last weekend following Hamilton’s 21-19 win over Edmonton that capped an otherwise miserable 3-15 season. It marked the third straight year Hamilton has posted the CFL’s worst record and the fifth time in six seasons the club has missed the playoffs.

Fortunately for Mitchell, it would seem that there’s a good crop of worthwhile candidates from which to choose Desjardins’ successor.

In no particular order, here’s a look at some potential prospects:

Must Interviews

Bob O’Billovich, player-personnel director, B.C. Lions: The Lions have been the CFL’s best team the last two years and a reason why has been O’Billovich’s ability to find diamonds in the rough. In 2003 he found an unheralded quarterback named Casey Printers who, with some work, became the CFL’s outstanding player in ‘04. And this year, O’Billovich unearthed Penn State linebacker Cameron Wake, who as a defensive end has registered a CFL-high 16 sacks and has been named the West Division nominee for top rookie and defensive player. Last year, defensive lineman Aaron Hunt was the CFL’s top rookie. O’Billovich has also been a CFL GM during his 30-year tenure in Canada and lives in nearby Mississauga, Ont.

Greg Mohns, player-personnel director, Toronto Argonauts: Mohns has spent nearly 20 years in the CFL, working in the front office with Hamilton, Memphis, B.C., and Toronto (twice). He has earned two Grey Cup rings with the Argos (’96, 2004) and has previous NFL experience with the Kansas City Chiefs. Mohns is well connected to both the NFL and NCAA ranks and is credited with finding cornerback Jordan Younger and defensive end Jonathan Brown, two main cogs in Toronto’s CFL-best defence this season. He’s meticulous and pays close attention to detail in his reports and has a keen eye when it comes to evaluating players. Another advantage, too, is Mohns knows Hamilton and the Ticats’ importance within the community.

Should Speak To

Paul Jones, player-personnel director, Edmonton Eskimos: A top CFL talent evaluator for some time. Jones has spent time previously with Winnipeg and Toronto before joining the Eskimos eight years ago. Jones has been part of seven Grey Cup teams, including four winners. He’s credited with bringing the likes of receiver Jason Tucker and kick-returner Tony Tompkins to Edmonton. The only drawback is Jones is based in Louisiana and might not be willing to re-locate to Hamilton.

Mike McCarthy, player-personnel consultant, Hamilton Tiger-Cats: Has previous experience as a GM with Toronto, winning a Grey Cup with the Argos in ‘91. McCarthy has long been a fixture in Hamilton during three separate stints with the CFL club. Another top talent evaluator with an NFL background (San Diego, New England) who has an extensive scouting report library. McCarthy has spent 20 years in the CFL while also working with Ottawa and B.C. and would offer a seamless transition into the post.

Interesting options

Brendan Taman, GM, Winnipeg Blue Bombers: A respected individual throughout the CFL, Taman has built the Bombers into a contender. Although he’s entering the final year of his contract, unless the Bombers brass has fallen on its head lately, Taman should re-sign with the club, even with new ownership coming in. But if he left, Taman would be a definite favourite for the Hamilton job.

Jim Popp, head coach/GM, Montreal Alouettes: At first glance, this suggestion will draw sheepish snickers. Popp is the only GM that Montreal has had since the club relocated from Baltimore in the 1990s and is regarded as one of the league’s top GMs. But he has struggled adding the coaching duties to his portfolio. Again, unless president Larry Smith has a brain cramp, the only change to Popp’s job description should be dropping the coaching duties and returning to being one of the CFL’s best GMs.

Roy Shivers, former GM, Saskatchewan Roughriders: There’s no questioning Shivers’ keen eye for talent. He helped stockpile the Calgary Stampeders’ roster during their dominant run before becoming the Riders’ GM and helping transform that franchise into a West Division contender. But Shivers can be set in his ways, which in turn sometimes makes him prickly to deal with.

Joe Womack, player-personnel director, Saskatchewan Roughriders: Completing his first year with Roughriders and has prior CFL experience in B.C. with current Riders GM Eric Tillman and has been a scout in the NFL for a few teams. But has no prior experience as a general manager or heading up a football operations department in Canada. A longshot.

Thanks, but no thanks

Dan Rambo, football operations director, Hamilton Tiger-Cats: More than qualified for the job and would the overwhelming favourite for it if he was willing to leave Ottawa. An interesting sidenote, too, is Rambo reportedly has an out clause in his Hamilton deal that would allow him to become the GM of an Ottawa expansion club if that became a reality. And the CFL is expected to announce either during Grey Cup week or shortly afterwards that it has reached an agreement in principle to return to the Canadian capital once a huge real estate project involving Frank Clair Stadium is complete.