REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders named Brendan Taman their new general manager Thursday.
The CFL club also announced that head coach Ken Miller will also be the title of vice-president of football operations.
“Brendan’s experience and knowledge of the CFL made him the perfect fit for this position,” ’Riders president Jim Hopson said. “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.”
Taman replaces Eric Tillman, who resigned from the post earlier this month upon receiving a full discharge after pleading guilty to sexual assault.
Taman, 43, a Saskatoon native, has previous experience as a CFL general manager with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers but left the club following the 2008 season. He has also worked previously with B.C. and Ottawa and served as a player-personnel assistant with the ’Riders.
He re-joined the Roughriders this season as the club’s director of football operations.
“Taking over as the general manager of a team I grew up watching is a dream come true,” said 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.”
Hopson said 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 Taman on scouting, recruiting, drafting, salary cap and all other facets of the football operations department.
Miller is entering his third season as Riders head coach. He joined the club as its offensive co-ordinator in 2007 and instrumental in orchestrating an offence that led the CFL in touchdowns and eventually won the Grey Cup. Miller led the ’Riders to a berth in the ’09 CFL title game, losing 28-27 to Montreal.