Roughriders’ football operations signings make the season bright for Jeremy O’Day
Two years, just before New Year’s.
Such are the durations of contract extensions signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ Assistant General Managers — Paul Jones and Kyle Carson.
“It’s nice,” GM/Vice-President of Football Operations Jeremy O’Day said after the new deals were announced on Thursday.
“Paul’s such an experienced guy in scouting and has his role in the States, travelling all over the place and talking to people and scouting players. He has done it for so long, he’s a pleasure to work with, and he has a really good history of finding good players.
“Kyle’s kind of on the opposite end of the spectrum. He’s a few years into being an Assistant GM and he’s a rising star, in my opinion — someone who’s really good to work with and has a lot of strengths as far as scouting and working on the draft and with everything he does. He’s very thorough and thoughtful in his process and we’re happy to have him back.
“They’re two good guys who balance each other out, from both sides of the perspective. One is the veteran type and one is a younger guy who is up-and-coming with different ideas. It’s always good to have both perspectives.”
Carson spent eight seasons with the Calgary Stampeders, contributing to two Grey Cup championships, before being named the Roughriders’ Director of Player Personnel after the 2019 CFL season. He was promoted to Assistant GM in 2022.
Jones assumed an Assistant GM’s post with the Green and White in 2019. Based in Alabama, he has a wealth of CFL experience, gained with the Roughriders, Edmonton Elks (with whom he spent 21 years), Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Toronto Argonauts. He is a five-time Grey Cup champion.
“It’s a good balance and we work well together,” O’Day said. “We know what we all think makes good football players at each position and we talk the same language.
“They’re both good guys to work with.”
The same description applies to Dan Farthing, whose third stint with the Roughriders has just begun.
A Roughriders receiver from 1991 to 2001, he was enshrined in the SaskTel Plaza of Honour in 2009.
The former Holy Cross Crusaders and University of Saskatchewan Huskies standout was the Roughriders’ Strength and Conditioning Co-ordinator from 2012 to 2015.
On Thursday, Farthing was named the Head of Strength and Conditioning.
“It was kind of a no-brainer,” O’Day said of hiring Farthing as the successor to Clinton Spencer, who resigned in November to pursue a new venture and be closer to his family at home in Tennessee.
“We did our due diligence and went through the interview process for hiring a new strength coach. Right from the beginning, Dan said he’d like the opportunity to interview.
“I kind of joked with him and asked, ‘When was the last time you had to type up a resume?’ ”
His expansive list of qualifications includes a Master of Physical Activity Studies degree from the University of Regina.
As well, he owns Level 10 Fitness, where he is also the Director of Training Service and an Exercise Specialist.
O’Day and Farthing were teammates with the Roughriders from 1999 to 2001.
They both earned a Grey Cup ring with the 2013 edition. O’Day was the Assistant GM at the time.
“Dan has such a passion for the Roughriders and he really wants to be a part of turning it around and getting it back to where we’re successful on the field,” O’Day said.
“He was fired up, right from the day we told him he was the guy to him coming in and looking over the weight room. He just can’t wait to get started.
“We’re super-excited to have Dan back in the building. He did do some work with us last year, but this will be more in a full-time role.”
Another key member of the staff is Jordan Greenly, who is entering his seventh season with the team and his second as the Director of Football Operations.
Greenly was previously the Football Operations Co-ordinator (2018-2021) and Manager of Football Operations (2022).
The following members of the football operations support staff also remain in place: Gordon Gilroy (Equipment Manager), Ty Robinson (Assistant Equipment Manager), Nick Bowley (Manager, Video and Analytics), Nathan Schellenberg (Video and Analytics), Michael Woytowich (Video and Analytics), Greg Mayer (Head Athletic Therapist) and Brooke Kosolofski (Assistant Athletic Therapist).
The full coaching staff, led by Corey Mace, is to be announced at a later date.
