Dave Campbell
CFL.ca
Cancer is probably one of the most frightening words in the English language. Many families, friends, and co-workers have been affected by this terrible disease. For Eskimos President and CEO Rick LeLacheur, the reality of that word has hit home for him.
LeLacheur has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The good news is his doctor detected the cancer early; he’ll undergo surgery in mid-December and expects to return to work by the middle of January. LeLacheur says he found out about the cancer back in July.
“I actually found out the day before I let Danny (Maciocia) go (on July 31st) but the doctors were saying that I was fine to get through the Grey Cup,” explained LeLacheur. “We detected it (the cancer) early and we’ll do surgery after Grey Cup. I’m very confident, my families very confident we’ll get it all and get on.”
LeLacheur joined the Eskimos back in 2002 and assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer. After Hugh Campbell retired in 2006, LeLacheur became the team’s President and CEO. LeLacheur is also the team’s alternate governor and is a well-respected member of the CFL Board of Governors. He’s also the Chairman of the CFL’s Audit Committee and is a member of the Executive Committee.
The Edmonton Journal reported earlier this week that LeLacheur will stay on for two more seasons before handing the reigns to a successor. That man could be Duane Vienneau who ran a successful 98th Grey Cup Festival in Edmonton. Vienneau has been named team Vice President. The Grey Cup was sold out even before the Eskimos played their first pre-season game. 63,317 watched the Montreal Alouettes beat the Saskatchewan Roughriders 21-18 at Commonwealth Stadium. About $5.5 mIllion profit was generated during the five-day party. Vienneau is the former President of the Edmonton Rush of the National Lacrosse League. He also helped to organize the 2002 Grey Cup in Edmonton, as well as many other national and international sporting events that have been held in Edmonton.
The search for a new head coach continues for General Manager Eric Tillman who continues to interview candidates.
“He had a couple (interviews) yesterday (Thursday); we’ll talk again this afternoon,” LeLacheur said. “I think he’s going to go south for the weekend, he has a couple there and then we’ll sort of re-group.”
The names on the short list appear to be Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive coordinator Kavis Reed, Calgary Stampeders defensive coordinator Chris Jones, and Stampeders de-facto offensive coordinator Dave Dickenson. According to LeLacheur, Tillman has also conducted interviews with people who haven’t been mentioned in the media. After five moves in the last eight years, Kent Austin will stay put as the head coach of Cornell University though. T
Tillman hopes to have the new head coach in place before Christmas. Once the head coach has named, then discussions will begin about what happens with the rest of the remaining coaching staff.
LeLacheur also put to rest any speculation of a trade out of Edmonton for starting quarterback Ricky Ray who’s entering his option year during his press conference yesterday.
“We’ve given notice that we want the option for Ricky so he’ll be under contract to us in 2011 regardless and then a free-agent in February of 2012.”
LeLacheur says there’s plenty of time to work out a re-structured deal. Ray is reportedly the highest paid player in the Canadian Football League making near or at a half-a-million dollars. The history of Eric Tillman is he doesn’t like players who make a huge amount of money. Ray didn’t have a great season statistically; in fact he endured the worst season of his CFL career. Ray threw for just 3,565 yards, a career low 11 touchdown passes and threw 16 interceptions.
Behind Ray on the depth chart are Jared Zabranksy who still needs to develop as quarterback in the Canadian Football League, and Jason Maas who may not be back next season (at least not as a player). It makes sense to put the ball back in the hands of Ray who needs much better protection from the offensive line and he must have better receivers to throw to (outside of Fred Stamps). If Ray still struggles, then Eric Tillman seriously has to take a look at his starter who hasn’t enjoyed much success since winning the Grey Cup five years ago.
A busy off-season for the green and gold is off and running and of course thoughts and prayers for a successful and speedy recovery for Rick LeLacheur.