Jim Popp Stays In Montreal

MONTREAL -- Montreal Alouettes owner, Robert Wetenhall, is pleased to announce that Jim Popp has signed an extension with the Alouettes through the 2014 season.

"We're happy and proud to be able to continue counting on Jim to be the architect of our football operations," Robert Wetenhall said. "With him committed to steering our ship for the long term, we're certain that our team will continue to be as successful as ever."

As the only GM the team has had since returning to the CFL in 1996, Popp has led the Alouettes to unprecedented success including seven Grey Cup appearances and two championships (2002, 2009) since 2000.

"Jim is both a key member and key builder on our management team. We're very happy to have him sign on for a long-term commitment," said Alouettes President & CEO, Larry Smith.

Under Popp, the Alouettes have led the CFL with an astounding 168-88-1 record for a .656 winning percentage. He is especially well known and respected for his ability to unearth talent and keep his team at a steady pace.

"I am very grateful that Bob Wetenhall and the Montreal Alouettes organization have the confidence to allow me to continue supplying service to the team both now and for the future," Popp said. "The success we've achieved over the years is outstanding, and it's a welcome challenge to try to continue staying at the top. Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and the Canadian Football League have treated my family and I well. We just love it!"

Popp began his CFL career as an assistant coach and Director of Player Personnel with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1992. In '94, he accepted the challenge of building the expansion Baltimore franchise from the ground-up as the Stallions' GM & Director of Player Personnel. Following that team's defeat in the 1994 Grey Cup, the '95 Stallions set a new CFL mark with an 18-3 record as they became the first and only US-based team to win the Grey Cup.

The next year, the Stallions moved to Montreal to re-establish the Alouettes and thus began Popp's long-lasting relationship with this city. Since then, the Alouettes have won seven division titles - more than any other team in the league. The Alouettes have played in 12 of 14 division championship games during his tenure.

In his 18 years in the CFL, every team that Popp has put together has made it to the playoffs.

(Article Courtesy Montreal Alouettes Football Club)