Corey Mace wins first Coach of the Year award

The Saskatchewan Roughriders won major CFL awards including Coach of the Year for Corey Mace and the first-ever Ted Goveia Football Operations award.

Saskatchewan Roughriders’ head coach Corey Mace has won the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) Coach of the Year, the league announced Wednesday.

In just his second year in the role Mace led the Riders to a CFL-best 12-6 regular season record to capture the team’s ninth West Division title and the franchise’s fifth Grey Cup championship.

Saskatchewan allowed the fewest points (22.7 per game) and rushing yards (76.0 per game), while registering the second-best net offence (382.6 yards per game).

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“Corey leads with authenticity, consistency and a clear understanding of not only the team, but also the Saskatchewan Roughriders organization and our community,” said Roughriders Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Jeremy O’Day in a statement Wednesday night.

“From day one, he dedicated himself to bringing the Club its fifth Grey Cup championship, building strong relationships with our players and creating an environment where they can succeed. He’s been outstanding for our organization and a key part of our success.”

The Coach of the Year was selected by the national and local members of the Football Reporters of Canada, and the league’s nine head coaches. Of the 53 completed ballots, Mace received 39 votes.

Mace is the eighth Saskatchewan Head Coach to capture the honour and the first since Chris Jones in 2018. It is also the second-straight year Mace has been nominated for the award.

Roughriders win inaugural Ted Goveia Football Operations Award

The Saskatchewan Roughriders were also named the inaugural recipients of the Ted Goveia Football Operations Award.

“This is a proud moment for our organization and for Rider Nation,” said Roughriders President and CEO Craig Reynolds. “It recognizes the countless hours of hard work, preparation and belief required to assemble a professional football roster that can withstand adversity, finish atop the league and ultimately deliver a Grey Cup Championship. Being recognized in this way by peers across the league makes it especially meaningful. It reflects the high standard this group has set and the pride they take in representing our team, our fans and our province.”

The honour was presented Wednesday night in Edmonton during the CFL’s Coach of the Year celebration. It recognizes a team’s football operations department for excellence in scouting, player identification, roster building and leadership.

Led by general manager Jeremy O’Day, the football operations group played a key role in building a team that also produced nine All-CFL selections.

Quarterback Trevor Harris led the league in completion percentage and was named Grey Cup MVP, while offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman.

The Ted Goveia Football Operations Award is voted on by the football operations departments of all nine CFL clubs. Goveia, a respected leader in the Canadian football community, spent more than a decade in player personnel roles with Toronto, Winnipeg and Hamilton, winning three Grey Cups over his career.