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THE MOJ: B.C.B次元官网网址檚 Corey Mace coaching Saskatchewan to run roughshod

Port Moody product has the Roughriders out to a 4-0 start as they head into a clash with the Lions
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Port MoodyB次元官网网址檚 Corey Mace returns to Vancouver this weekend as the head coach of the undefeated Saskatchewan Roughriders. Photo Electric Umbrella/Liam Richards

TheyB次元官网网址檙e often referred to as B次元官网网址榯echnique coachesB次元官网网址 who usually specialize in what it takes to win one-on-one battles on the line of scrimmage.

If you are coaching the defensive line, youB次元官网网址檙e lucky if you get to wear a headset in a game. That privilege is reserved for defensive coordinators and linebacker or secondary coaches.

A d-line coach becoming a head coach of a football team? ThatB次元官网网址檚 as rare as the WWE not selling out a house show.

So when you see a defensive line coach evolve into a head coach, you kind of take notice.

And a 4-0 record will also make you take notice.

ThatB次元官网网址檚 the record of the Saskatchewan Roughriders team coached by Corey Mace, who started his coaching career working with the defensive line in Calgary before moving to Toronto to become the defensive coordinator of the Argonauts before taking over the reins of the Roughriders this past spring.

Mace and the Riders (4-0) are on a heater right now and will give the B.C. Lions all they can handle when the two teams clash this Saturday night at BC Place Stadium (7pm, TSN, CKNW 980).

A graduate of Port Moody Secondary, it will be MaceB次元官网网址檚 first game as a head coach at BC Place Stadium in front of family and friends.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just special anytime you get to go back to your hometown, see your city and see the people you know. IB次元官网网址檝e had a lot of experiences in that stadium. You can reminisce a little bit, but for the most part, itB次元官网网址檚 a game day,B次元官网网址 said Mace, whoB次元官网网址檚 on the hook for a dozen or so tickets for family and friends with even more friends buying their own tickets.

Mace grew up in East Vancouver and was slated to go to Killarney Secondary until his family moved to Port Moody. That move introduced Mace to the game that he fell in love with and he hasnB次元官网网址檛 looked back since.

B次元官网网址淚t was just exciting to play high school football. I was going to go to Killarney but they didnB次元官网网址檛 have a football program. So to get out to Port Moody and get to play football in high school and play football in the community was just awesome. It was a dream. I never had a chance to play prior to that, so it was cool,B次元官网网址 said the likable 37-year-old.

Mace attended Banting Middle School before moving on to Port Moody Secondary, where as he puts it, he got to do all the B次元官网网址榗ool stuff playing running back and linebackerB次元官网网址 and realizing he had a future in the sport around Grade 11.

B次元官网网址淚 just started training with guys who were moving on to the next level. Athletically, I found myself keeping up with those guys, so I knew that it was a possibility. Going into Grade 12, I really locked my focus into playing somewhere post-secondary. I ramped up my workouts with my trainer (Kevin Phillips) and I really locked in,B次元官网网址 said Mace.

The end result was a 12-year-run that saw stops with Palomar College, the University of Wyoming, the Buffalo Bills, the Hamiton Tiger-Cats and the Calgary Stampeders as a defensive lineman. It was a good career but it was slowed by several injuries which included a ruptured Achilles tendon, a torn shoulder labrum and a fractured foot.

The coaching bug actually hit him during his last couple of seasons as a player in the CFL.

B次元官网网址淚 spent a lot of that time (while hurt) trying to help out the young bucks and help out the coaching staff so I wasnB次元官网网址檛 totally just stealing cheques. Once I got the clicker in my hand and understood the computer part of it, it was really interesting. I tried looking at other stuff towards the back end of my career that wasnB次元官网网址檛 football-related but it just didnB次元官网网址檛 spark anything for me. I knew coaching is where I wanted to go,B次元官网网址 explained Mace.

First off was a gig as the Stampeders defensive line coach from 2016 through 2021 where MaceB次元官网网址檚 thirst for knowledge had him looking at the bigger picture on defense.

B次元官网网址淎s you get more comfortable, you start broadening things and looking at whatB次元官网网址檚 going on with the full picture. And I was just lucky to be around some good coaches to teach me up along the way,B次元官网网址 said Mace.

There was also the desire to have more of an impact as a coach, and that meant transitioning to a coordinator and eventually a head coach.

B次元官网网址淒id I want to be a d-line coach forever? I love B次元官网网址 and I mean I love d-line play B次元官网网址 but you have to learn more and have more of an understanding of whatB次元官网网址檚 going on. The more you know, the more you can help with the full picture and with the scheme on defense. It was just sitting down with other coaches on staff and picking their brains. YouB次元官网网址檙e constantly learning. Even now, IB次元官网网址檓 constantly trying to learn more and more stuff. ItB次元官网网址檚 only going to be for the betterment of the team moving forward,B次元官网网址 said Mace.

There have been many coaching influences in MaceB次元官网网址檚 career but if thereB次元官网网址檚 one thing heB次元官网网址檚 proud of itB次元官网网址檚 that heB次元官网网址檚 held true to himself.

Coaches, in a way, are like thieves. They will pick up little things along the way from certain coaches but if you want to be successful, you have to be true to yourself. Try being someone youB次元官网网址檙e not and players will read right through you and lose respect.

ItB次元官网网址檚 one of the reasons why Mace has been so respected and well-liked by his players at all his stops.

In 2022, Mace was hired by the Toronto Argonauts to be their defensive coordinator B次元官网网址 a position he held for two seasons until he accepted his current post in Saskatchewan.

So whatB次元官网网址檚 been the biggest challenge from transitioning from a coordinator to a head coach?

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just being fully in tune with every game situation in all three phases and trying to see the full picture. Even from that standpoint, IB次元官网网址檓 still learning. ItB次元官网网址檚 my first time, and the only way to do it is to do it. IB次元官网网址檓 learning along the way but I got great people around me who are great sounding boards and itB次元官网网址檚 been good thus far,B次元官网网址 said Mace.

For a team to be successful, players have to feel that theyB次元官网网址檙e invested into the program.

A coach who doesnB次元官网网址檛 get feedback from his players has lost half the battle before his team even steps on the field.

One of the first things on MaceB次元官网网址檚 agenda when he arrived in Regina was to talk to leaders on the team such as Trevor Harris, Brett Lauther and Rolan Milligan to get feedback on what was going on and what changes needed to be made.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 very fluid. ItB次元官网网址檚 the players that win the game. ItB次元官网网址檚 the players that run the locker room. I want to make sure that the environment is conducive to fit what they want, but also follow the guidelines of what we feel breeds success. There are some non-negotiables, but for the most part, itB次元官网网址檚 putting together a culture that is a marriage of our foundation as a staff and the players we have,B次元官网网址 said Mace.

A 4-0 start reinforces what Mace and his staff are trying to sell in Saskatchewan as itB次元官网网址檚 easier for players to buy in when their team is winning.

B次元官网网址淭he start certainly helps. Some of the intangible stuff that we wanted to instill here on year oneB次元官网网址ust what it means to be a proB次元官网网址laying and preparing as a winner. These guys have been putting in the work and taking heed to what weB次元官网网址檝e been saying and really holding themselves accountable. And itB次元官网网址檚 ever changing. Every team you know will hear a message and take it one way and run with it. These guys are running with it and itB次元官网网址檚 contagious. ItB次元官网网址檚 infectious within the locker room and within the building. IB次元官网网址檓 very pleased with how the guys have responded to what weB次元官网网址檙e trying to get accomplished,B次元官网网址 said Mace.

And all of this success is taking place in the hotbed of CFL football in Saskatchewan which makes it even more special.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been incredible. ItB次元官网网址檚 everything you thought it would be and then some. ItB次元官网网址檚 just great that youB次元官网网址檙e in a place that cares about the team, that cares about the CFL, you know? ItB次元官网网址檚 not unusual to have daily conversations with people in the community because theyB次元官网网址檙e invested. ItB次元官网网址檚 a unique situation being a provincial team B次元官网网址 a community owned team. ItB次元官网网址檚 important to us and we realize as an organization that theyB次元官网网址檙e a part of this thing. Man, itB次元官网网址檚 been awesome,B次元官网网址 noted Mace of being in Regina.

Regardless of where the Saskatchewan finishes in the standings this season, Mace and his staff have the Riders pointed in the right direction.

ThatB次元官网网址檚 pretty impressive for an old d-line coach.

Veteran B.C. sports personality Bob B次元官网网址渢he MojB次元官网网址 Marjanovich writes twice weekly for Black Press Media.

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