Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym

Though he has well-earned reputation as a pass-first offensive coordinator, Tommy Condell plans for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to do plenty of running the ball in 2026.

“I think the biggest thing is you do what the players do best,” Condell told the media on Tuesday. “You have to bend to those kinds of things. I wouldn’t be in this position if I wasn’t adaptable and understand what the players do best and those kinds of things. The game has changed, too, understanding that it’s going to take (running) the football in order to win games. You have to be able to pass the football effectively and efficiently as well, we all know that. But to me, to be able to marry that run with the pass is going to be key.”

Condell has previously served as the offensive coordinator with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Toronto Argonauts, and Ottawa Redblacks. Though his offences have been brilliant at times, including two seasons in Steeltown with Zach Collaros under centre, Condell has never leaned heavily on the run game.

With running back Brady Oliveira having just signed a three-contract extension that makes him one of the CFL’s highest-paid non-quarterbacks, one would think that has to change. The bruising ball-carrier is one of the league’s best players and has been the focal point of the offence whenever the Blue Bombers have been at their best in recent years.

Condell not only understands how critical the run game is to Winnipeg, but how important it is to his new coaching colleagues. He intends to take a collaborative approach, which makes sense — though the team’s passing attack ranked last in the CFL in 2025, the Blue Bombers finished second in rushing yards per game (124.1) and yards per rush (5.5).

“The run game is imbued in the culture to win games (in Winnipeg) and that needs to be not only honoured, it needs to be executed,” said Condell. “That first comes with the coaches that we have on staff who’ve had a lot of success with that. Marty Costello, the (offensive) line coach, he’s been here … I want to say 10 years or more and he’s had a lot of success. Jason was here for those Grey Cup runs as well. We’re going to lean on those two guys to be able to formulate a game plan that we need from a week-to-week basis.”

“We’re going to do this together. It’s not just like I come down from Mount Sinai and I say, ‘Hey, these are the things that we’re going to do this week.’ No, we’re going to get in there together, build it together, and have a game plan collectively to know, ‘Hey, this is going to do what it takes to win this football game.’ Then we’re going to go try to execute it and we’re going to coach it with energy, passion, detail, and intent.”

Head coach Mike O’Shea created a potential conflict on staff when Hogan was demoted from offensive coordinator to running backs coach, though Condell doesn’t appear concerned. He and Hogan have a preexisting relationship from when the latter was a guest coach with the Toronto Argonauts while Condell was on staff there. Condell indicated that the two recently had some private conversations and though he didn’t reveal any details, it seems as though they were positive in nature.

“I think we both have a lot to give and offer each other for growth,” said Condell. “We always have the team in mind. He certainly has high character, competence in the position, is great communicator, and is able to connect. If you have those four things, those are (the attributes of) great coaches and we want those to be part of the staff.”

The 54-year-old didn’t mention any of Winnipeg’s other incumbent offensive assistant coaches by name, which might be an indication they won’t be back for 2026. O’Shea told the media on Monday that the status of quarterbacks coach Jarious Jackson is “to be determined” and the staff has not yet been finalized.

Condell indicated that he and Collaros kept in touch throughout his hiring process, though O’Shea made it clear the decision to hire Condell was his alone. Condell said he and Collaros have maintained a relationship outside of football for years and he clearly believes the veteran can still be a top CFL quarterback.

“I still see a guy able to do the things that he needs to do,” said Condell. “I think he’s highly intelligent, he works hard. He’s a football guy, number one, so to continue to be a part of that relationship has been great.”

“He has a fire to always be great and that chase of greatness takes place when no one else is watching. I think those are where all the elite players are. Also, those elite players that want to be great want to be coached, and he’s no different.”

In addition to having a balanced attack, Condell touted the importance of protecting the football and generating explosive plays. For the record, Ottawa’s offence finished dead-last in the CFL in giveaways and completions of 30-plus yards under Condell in 2025. He’ll surely be looking to improve on those marks now that he’s arrived in Bomberland.

“We always want to do what the players do best, marry the run with the pass, and those are the things that we want to be able to do. It goes from game-to-game,” said Condell.

“What it takes to win this game, next week might be a little bit different. It’s about honouring that and executing the game plan that we need to be able to do, and that’s certainly being able to be physical and be able to run the football and do what these players do best.”