Between The Lines: Darian Durant on Jeremy O’Day’s rise from hot seat to CFL honour

Last week, the Saskatchewan Roughriders football operations department was recognized by the CFL with the first-ever Ted Goveia Award.

Last week, the Saskatchewan Roughriders football operations department, with General Manager Jeremy O’Day, Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Personnel Kyle Carson, Assistant General Manager Paul Jones, Director of Football Operations Jordan Greenly and Assistant Director of Player Personnel Larry Dean, was recognized by the CFL with the first-ever Ted Goveia Award.

The award recognizes excellence in scouting, player identification, roster building and leadership.

Riders Plaza of Honour quarterback Darian Durant says it is a well deserved honour for his former teammate Jeremy O’Day.

“J.O. was kind of on the hot seat a few years ago, and a lot of fans wanted him out. They didn’t think he was doing a good job,” Durant said. “For him to go from being on his way out, according to some fans, to reaching that pedestal a few years later speaks volumes about what he has been able to accomplish.”

“Every year, he finds guys to replace starters because you can’t keep everyone. When you lose players to different teams, he and that scouting department have done a great job finding talent and keeping the level of play high. That’s a direct reflection of J.O., his staff and their ability to build depth on the roster.”

AND Durant recognizes the transition O’Day made from player to General Manager where he had to negotiate contracts with his former teammates.

“You have to be mentally strong, first and foremost,” Durant said. “When you’re teammates, you’re at each other’s houses, having dinners and interacting as friends. Once you transition to the front office, you have to put those friendships aside and focus on the business side.

“He was able to separate himself from former teammates and do what was best for the team. That’s the only way you can have success as a GM, by taking personal feelings out of it.”

You can hear the entire conversation at SportsCage.com.

AND that’s between the lines for Sheppard Realty in Regina. Specializing in farm and ranch real estate in Saskatchewan. Call Harry, Justin or Devan at 352-1866.