The Ottawa RedBlacks have signed head coach Bob Dyce to a contract extension which will keep him in the nation’s capital through the 2026 CFL season.
“Coach Dyce has demonstrated the ability to get the best out of our players on a daily basis. His leadership sets the standard, and provides a blueprint to who we want to be as a team both on and off the field,” said REDBLACKS General Manager Shawn Burke. “I am thrilled to get the opportunity to continue our partnership in leading our organization to more success and greater achievements.”
Under Dyce’s leadership Ottawa posted a franchise record 7-1-1 home record in 2024, helping guide them back to the playoffs for the first time in six years. The former special teams coordinator will now be entering his 3rd season as head coach.
“I eagerly look forward to continuing the growth our team saw last season, as we work toward achieving our ultimate goal. We have a great group of players, coaches, and staff, along with tremendous support from Shawn and our ownership group, and are all working daily towards bringing the Grey Cup back to Ottawa,” said Dyce. “Holding this position is something I never take for granted, and I express my sincere gratitude to all of them for their unwavering belief in what we are building together.”
The extension avoids a potential “lame duck coach” situation in Ottawa for Dyce, who has worked tirelessly to turn the franchise around since taking over for Paul LaPolice back in 2022.
“It’s not so much the year,” Dyce told reporters following news of his extension. “The thing for me is it just shows the belief that, obviously, Shawn [Burke] and the ownership and the players have in what we’re building here. We’ve put a lot of work into that, and we’re excited to see where we’re going to go. We’re excited to take the next step, next season, and finish our ultimate goal. We’re working hard every day to bring the Grey Cup back to Ottawa.”
With a return to the postseason under his belt, expectations are high for the RedBlacks this season in Ottawa. A sentiment which is also shared by the sports books as well who have Ottawa with the 5th best odds to win it all this season. While that may not seem like much in a 9 team league, it represents a sizeable step forward from the grim outlook the oddsmakers have given the team the last several seasons.
Up next for Ottawa is the CFL Global Draft and CFL Draft, both taking place on April 29th. Rookie camp then begins on May 7th.
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