Roughriders bring back Jeremy O'Day, add John Murphy to staff

What ended up being a wild day in Riderville started with Jeremy O'Day and John Murphy joining the Saskatchewan Roughriders football operations.

On Tuesday, the Riders announced O'Day as the team'sassistant vice-president of football operations and administration.

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Murphy, formerly with the Calgary Stampeders, will be Saskatchewan's assistant vice-president of football operations and player personnel.

The team made a splash earlier this month when it hired Grey Cup-winning head coach Chris Jones away from Edmonton. Jones was also given the general manager position.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You can say whatever else you want. There's only one Saskatchewan Roughrider team in our league.- John Murphy

BothO'Dayand Murphy were candidates for the Riders general manager job before Jones was hired.

"It was a trying time going through the last couple of weeks,"O'Daysaid.

"It's tough to beat the decision that was made. I had some opportunity to sit down with these guys over the last number of days and feel very comfortable about what we're doing (and)the direction of the team."

'We win': Murphy ready to turn around Riders

While Murphy did interviewfor the Riders general manager job, he said he wasn't eager to leave Calgary.

"This was an extraordinary opportunity," Murphy said, calling it "probably the best (job) in the league".

When the decision was made to hire Jones, Murphy went back to work in Calgary prepared to move forward. But when the Riders handed Murphy another job offer, it was one he couldn't refuse.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You can say whatever else you want. There's only one Saskatchewan Roughrider team in our league."

Murphy said there are "a lot of holes" to address on the Riders roster and "a lot of age that needs to be addressed in certain areas." However, he doesn't expect it to be a complete rebuild that could take several seasons.

"Wegottaget younger. Wegottaget faster on defence. And then offensively, our Canadian content just has to continue to improve."

Asked what it was about Chris Jones and this team that attracted him toRiderville, Murphy responded, "We win. That's it. Period."

The team is expected to announce the rest of its coaching staff on Wednesday.