REGINA — He played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, coached the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and now calls Regina home.
Even with all of Richie Hall’s ties to Riders nation, it’s hard not to see it as a blessing in disguise that the organization moved on from him after the 2014 season. Shortly thereafter, the defensive co-ordinator joined Mike O’Shea’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Fast forward to today, Hall is a victory away from winning a third-straight Grey Cup as the Bombers take on the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday at Regina’s Mosaic Stadium.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better situation,” said Hall, who’s originally from San Antonio, Texas, and played nine CFL seasons as a defensive back. “You couldn’t have written a better movie on my life as far as playing up here and coaching up here.”
Hall’s players couldn’t be happier that Saskatchewan let him get away — especially safety Brandon Alexander. Alexander and several of his teammates see Hall as one of the main reasons why they’ll be playing for the top prize in Canadian football on Sunday.
“It was early in 2017 and I was tutoring algebra. I was actually at the front of a class and I was teaching. When I was at the front, I got a phone call from a 204 area code and I didn’t know what that was so I silenced it,” said Alexander, a Florida native and CFL all-star in 2021.
“Then I got another phone call so I stepped out of the class and answered it and it was the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Richie saying they wanted to bring me in for a tryout.”
“I can’t say enough about that guy. He’s like another father figure and a person that I look up to.”
Defensive back Winston Rose shares a similar sentiment.
“Richie Hall, man. He upped my production. He brought out the best in me. I can honestly say that these last three years of being in his system, he introduced me to things that I didn’t even know about myself,” said Rose.
“In 2019 when I had that season, I never imagined of having 10 picks in a season. I give credit to not only coach Richie, but also (defensive backs coach) Jordan Younger, too. Even coach James Stanley (director of football analytics and linebackers coach). Having those guys around me and drawing attention to detail, I’m just grateful and thankful for coach Richie Hall.”
Younger players such as rookie Jamal Parker have been quick to appreciate what Hall brings to the team. At 5-8 and 177 pounds, Parker is one of the smallest players on the field. But Hall, who was listed as 5-6 in his playing days, is one of the few coaches that haven’t doubted Parker based on his size.
“Man, Richie’s a smaller DB too so I feel like he sees a lot of himself in me,” said Parker.
“He gave me my opportunity knowing that I’m not the tallest, like I don’t have those physical attributes, but I got the quickness, speed, and heart. I just thank him for giving him me my opportunity.”
Hall doesn’t earn the respect of his defence by constantly barking orders at them. He’s approachable, relatable, and often the happiest guy on the field. But when it’s called for, Hall can bring the hammer down.
“It’s not often, but you do see it. Maybe every blue moon and a half,” Alexander with a laugh. “It’s very rare where you see him get upset, but when he does, you pay attention. It’s like ‘OK, we’re doing something wrong here.’”
Going back-to-back-to-back with the Bombers, and winning the sixth Grey Cup of his career, on Sunday in the city he lives in sounds like the perfect final scene to Hall’s football movie. But with the camera still rolling, Hall said he doesn’t spend time thinking about when it’s time to hit the final credits.
It’s all about living in the moment.
“I’m 62 years old. In reality, I don’t have another 62 years. I don’t have another 30 years. You’re hoping to have another 20 or 15 so it’s about enjoying the process of today. And that’s what I enjoy, I enjoy today, because I don’t know what tomorrow’s going to bring,” said Hall.
“I lost a brother a couple of years ago. He was younger than me, but I’m still here and he’s gone. So to me, when you go through the challenges that life brings, it makes me more appreciative of today and not worried about tomorrow because tomorrow will take care of itself. It’s making sure that I’m happy with today and wanting to achieve the things that I want to today and enjoy the experience and the guys around me today.”
Twitter: @TaylorAllen31
Taylor Allen
Reporter
Eighteen years old and still in high school, Taylor got his start with the Free Press on June 1, 2011. Well, sort of…
