Taman And Miller Get New Titles

KEN MILLER NAMED RIDERS VICE PRESIDENT OF FOOTBALL OPERATIONS

Saskatchewan Roughrider President/CEO Jim Hopson announced today that Ken Miller has been elevated to the position of Vice President of Football Operations/head coach.

Miller will remain as the Riders head coach through the 2010 season, but will also oversee the football operations department. Miller will work closely with General Manager Brendan Taman on scouting, recruiting, drafting, salary cap and all other facets of the football operations department.

“I am very pleased that we were able to promote Ken into this role,” stated Riders President/CEO Jim Hopson. “Ken has a wealth of football knowledge and has played a major role in our success over the past few years.”

“I am very grateful for this opportunity,” stated Miller. “We have enjoyed our three years in Saskatchewan immensely and look forward to continuing it. This is a first-class organization with a very strong compliment of players and coaches. I believe we have all the pieces in place to be successful for years to come.”

Miller is entering his third season as head coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He joined the Green and White as the team’s offensive coordinator in 2007 and was instrumental in a Rider offence that led the CFL in touchdowns before moving on to win the Grey Cup.

Prior to joining the Riders, Miller spent his previous five seasons coaching with the Toronto Argonauts. In 2006 Miller was moved to the defensive side of the ball where he handled the defensive line. From 2003-2005, Miller was in charge of the Argo’s offensive line which enabled Damon Allen to have a career season where he was named the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2004. The team also went on to win the Grey Cup in that same season. Miller started his CFL coaching career when he was in charge of the Argonaut quarterbacks in 2002.

BRENDAN TAMAN NAMED RIDERS GENERAL MANAGER

Saskatchewan Roughrider President/CEO Jim Hopson announced today that Brendan Taman has signed a new deal to become the General Manager of the club.

Taman will work with Ken Miller on player negotiations and the salary management system. He will also oversee the scouting, recruiting and drafting of personnel.

“Brendan’s experience and knowledge of the CFL made him the perfect fit for this position,” stated Riders President/CEO Jim Hopson. “Brendan has a long track record of bringing tremendous talent into this league and we look forward to him continuing in that role with the organization where he started.”

“Taking over as the General Manager of a team I grew up watching is a dream come true,” stated Taman. “The passion and dedication this province has towards this team makes it a special place for everyone involved. We have a very talented team and coaching staff and I look forward to working with Ken Miller on continuing this success.”

Taman returned to the Riders during the 2009 season as the team’s Director of Football Administration. Prior to returning to his home province of Saskatchewan to work for the Green and White, Taman spent ten years working in the Winnipeg Blue Bomber organization, the last five of which were as the team’s General Manager and Vice-President of Football Operations.

Taman, a native of Saskatoon brings forth a wealth of football knowledge to the Roughriders after being a part of the CFL for over 20 years. He spent the 1997 and 1998 seasons as the Director of Player Personnel with the B.C. Lions. Before that, he spent four seasons (1993-1996) as Assistant Director of Player Personnel with the Roughriders. From 1989-1992, Taman was Operations Manager for Football with the Ottawa Rough Riders. His first stint in the CFL was with the Green and White in 1987 when he was hired as a player personnel assistant.

Over the course of his career, Taman has brought a number of noteworthy players into the CFL, including five finalists for CFL Rookie of the Year and (Gavin Walls - 2005 winner, Charles Roberts - 2001 runner up, Albert Johnson – 2000 winner, Steve Muhammad - 1998 winner, and BJ Gallis – 1997 runner up). Other notable players Dan Goodspeed, Arland Bruce, Geroy Simon, Romby Bryant, Tom Canada and Fred Reid.