CFL: Winnipeg Blue Bombers Dismiss Head Coach Doug Berry After Dismal Year

Less than a week after the 8-10 Bombers disappointing season came to an end, the first casualty was sent packing as head coach Doug Berry was relieved of his duties with the Blue Bombers.

Berry, while guiding the Bombers to three straight playoff appearances, understood it was part of the business. "I'm not angry. I know what this profession is. I'm a little more shocked than I am angry," Berry said in a news conference on Wednesday.

"Hopefully, I'll have an opportunity to come back and prove my worth in some other situation in some other city."  In three seasons as the head coach in Winnipeg Berry guided the Bombers to a record of 27-26-1 and a grey cup appearance last season, their first since 2001.

While the Bombers steadily improved his first two seasons as head coach the team struggled greatly at times this year, in a season that began with so much promise.  A year that had promises of a long waited grey cup the Bombers were also decimated by injuries to begin the season with the loss of Milt Stegall to injury and the loss of linebacker and inspirational captain Barrin Simpson to a torn pectoral muscle.

The team also got off to it's worst start since 2005 dropping they're first four games of the season en route to a brutal 2-8 start in their first 10 games.  This Bombers team while it improved greatly throughout the year (finishing 6-2) never seemed to gel consistently and never looked as tough and intimidating as they did last season. 

Did Berry deserve the fate he was given?  For me it's a toss up, he brought a different attitude to the table and committed himself to winning, but in the end his passion and feistiness may have been his downfall. 

There is no doubt Berry knew all the x's and o's to the game but his constant frustrations with the team and his in your face attitude may have been too much for the players to handle as it appeared that Berry's frustrations trickled down to the players who appeared less and less confident as Berry became more irate with they're play. 

Without a doubt Berry deserves another shot at being a head coach and he proved in his time how quickly he can turn a team's fortunes around.  This move has all the makings of a management team looking for a new direction.

''This move has been made in what the club believes is in the best interest of the on-field product,'' said Lyle Bauer, president and CEO of the Blue Bombers. ''We thank Doug for his contribution over the past three years and wish him the best in the future.''

For those curious as to who is likely to succeed Berry as coach look no further than the guy who helped end the Bombers season, Edmonton Eskimos receivers coach Mike Kelly.  All signs point to Kelly as the likely choice to take on this role. 

Kelly spent five season with the Bombers under the tutelage of then head coach Cal Murphy, Kelly turned the Bombers into a potent offence from 92-96 and has admitted he still has a soft spot for Winnipeg.  With Kelly focused on the East Final tomorrow Bomber fans will have to wait to see if Kelly does return to Winnipeg but at this point there is no other logical choice as coach of this team. 

Kelly is a proven winner as a co- coordinator and a head coach and he has proven it at every level (college, NFL, and CFL).  As for Berry don't be surprised to see him resurface soon in the CFL perhaps in Edmonton with his old friend Danny Maciocia who used to coach with Berry in Montreal.