Blue Bombers cut ties with Marcel Bellefeuille

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have parted ways with offensive co-ordinatorMarcelBellefeuille.

The club announced Tuesday that it has told Bellefeuillethathis contract will not be renewed for the 2016 season.

"I spoke with Marcel this morning and informed him of my decision," head Coach Mike O'Shea said."As I've said before, those conversations are not easy to have but we needed to move in a different direction, and we will immediately begin the search for a new offensive coordinator.

The person who gets the job "has to be someone who can come in and initiate change in our offence and give us a great opportunity to win offensively every week," O'Shea said.

The team is coming off yet another dismal season and the fourth consecutive year that they've failed to make the playoffs.They've stumbled toa21-51 (win-loss) record in the past four seasons, falling short ofthe playoffs each time.

The last time the Bombers were in the post-season was2011, when they went to the Grey Cup championship but lost34-23 to the B.C. Lions.

It's been 25 years since Winnipeg last hoisted the cup,in 1990.

Bellefeuille was hired on withthe Bombers asa member of the offensive coaching staff in August 2013. Less than a week later,he was promoted to offensive co-ordinator following the firingofGary Crowton.

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The change in co-ordinators did not translate into success on the field for the Bombers, which led toBellefeuille being cut loose.

As for the otheroffensive coaches, O'Shea said the makeup of the staff "for2016and beyond will be determined by the incoming coordinator and myself."

He added that quarterback Drew Willy's job is safe, however.

"We feel we have a franchise quarterback and some solid pieces around him. Our offensive staff, led by our new coordinator, will be charged with getting better production from our offensive unit,"O'Shea said.