A Winning Combination

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This article was published 09/07/2022 (802 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Today, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are the CFL’s two-time defending Grey Cup Champions.

A masterfully run organization, they are the envy of the league for their professionalism, stability and great team atmosphere.

But that wasn’t the case in August 2013 when Wade Miller was named team president and CEO.

The Blue Bombers had gone through several lean years, losing more than they won. Coaches and players came and went.

No one — coaches or players — wanted to come to Winnipeg anymore, as the once-proud franchise had lost its way.

Thankfully, Miller — who had proven himself as a shrewd businessman before coming to the Blue Bombers — had a vision.

He first hired Kyle Walters as general manager in late November 2013. Walters then brought in Toronto Argonauts special teams coach Mike O’Shea to serve as head coach a short time later.

Those two key positions filled, Miller set about changing the team’s culture.

“The vision I had from Day 1 was to establish a core group, so we brought in people like Danny McManus and Ted Goveia to help with scouting,” he recalls. “Above all, I wanted to make the team a place where people wanted to be. That meant doing the little things and taking care of players and coaches.”

Predictably, turning the team around was easier said than done.

While both fans and media expressed frustration over the team’s growing pains — a decent 7-11 season in 2014 was followed up by a disappointing 5-13 campaign — Miller and his team remained steadfast in their belief that they were heading in the right direction.

“It was just a matter of taking the right steps and following the plan, so we didn’t deviate. Sure, we adjusted along the way, but we knew it would take time to put all the pieces together,” he says. “You don’t fix things overnight. Ultimately, it comes down to the people.”

As it turned out, O’Shea — once one of the most feared middle linebackers in the CFL — proved to be a calm, steadying influence as head coach.

Finally, the Blue Bombers hit paydirt in 2016, making the playoffs for the first time in four years on the strength of a solid 11-7 record.

Over time, proven coaches like offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice and defensive co-ordinator Richie Hall were hired, and former Blue Bombers’ quarterback Buck Pierce — who now serves as offensive coordinator — was brought in to work with O’Shea.

With an accomplished, quality coaching staff in place and stability restored, the Blue Bombers turned the corner and celebrated two more winning years in 2017 (12-6) and 2018 (10-8).

Then, the club went 11-7 in 2019.

Led by quarterback Zach Collaros — a late-season pick-up after the starting quarterback went down with a shoulder injury — the Blue Bombers rode his arm and a dominant defence to a decisive win over the favoured Hamilton Tiger Cats in the 2019 Grey Cup.

After the 2020 season was lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Blue & Gold went 11-3 in an abbreviated 2021 season, capping it off with a come-from-behind win over the same Tiger Cats to repeat as Grey Cup Champions.

In the span of seven years, Miller’s vision had come to fruition.

Not only had he and his team re-established a winning culture in that time span, but they’d also overcome myriad challenges created by the pandemic.

“I’m lucky to have great people around me,” he says, adding that he and his staff had an 85-page pandemic restart plan in place in 2020. “It starts with the people who do the ticketing and concessions and on up the line. They’re so consistent with their passion for the team and game. Everyone has it. We also have a board that gives us the flexibility to pursue our vision.”

For the players, that means letting them know management has their back, and providing them with an atmosphere that allows them to focus on winning.

At the same time, the club’s fans are also a priority.

“We had three weeks to prepare for the 2021 season, but we got it done for our fans, who are the best in the league. We did whatever it took, and it happened because we have such a talented group off the field. That day on Aug. 5 was incredible. Being back playing football was an unbelievable moment.”

Winning two consecutive Grey Cups also seems unbelievable — but in a good way.

And it happened thanks to one man’s vision and his ability to surround himself with great people both on and off the field.

That’s a lesson that many businesses leaders can take to heart.

“We had three weeks to prepare for the 2021 season, but we got it done for our fans, who are the best in the league.”

– Wade Miller, Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ president and CEO