Ottawa Redblacks Fire Coach Bob Dyce After Disappointing Season

UPDATE: The Ottawa Redblacks have fired head coach Bob Dyce just hours after their disappointing season concluded. The decision, announced at 8 a.m. Saturday, follows a crushing defeat to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday night, where the Redblacks lost 35-15.

This move comes after a season marred by struggles, as the Redblacks finished with a dismal record of 4 wins and 14 losses, marking their fifth consecutive playoff miss since their appearance in the 2018 Grey Cup. Dyce, who took over as head coach on an interim basis in October 2022, is the third coach in franchise history. Previously, he served as the special teams coordinator for six seasons.

In a heartfelt statement, Shawn Burke, General Manager of the Ottawa Redblacks, expressed his gratitude for Dyce’s dedication over the past eleven years, stating, “This is a difficult day as Bob poured his heart, sweat, and tears into our organization.” Burke emphasized the personal and professional bond he shared with Dyce, wishing him well in future endeavors.

Dyce’s tenure saw the team reach the playoffs only once, where they faced the Toronto Argonauts in the Eastern Conference semi-final, suffering a 58-38 loss last season. In contrast, the Redblacks posted a more respectable record of 9-8-1 last year, including a franchise-best seven wins in nine games at TD Place.

The announcement of Dyce’s firing comes amidst confirmation from Adrian Sciarra, president of Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, that Burke will remain as the general manager next season, as reported by TSN 1200’s AJ Jakubec.

Fans and analysts alike are now left to speculate about the future direction of the team. With a new head coach needed, the Redblacks face critical decisions ahead as they aim to rebuild and restore competitiveness in the league.

As this story develops, all eyes will be on the Redblacks to see who will take the helm in a pivotal offseason.