He may not have been there for a long time, but it was a good time.
Jason Maas spent one year as offensive co-ordinator with the Ottawa RedBlacks after spending three seasons as a position coach with the Toronto Argos.
Maas appreciated the opportunity to show what he could do in his brief time in Ottawa, helping rejuvenate the career of quarterback Henry Burris and putting in an offensive system that created four 1,000-yard receivers.
On Saturday night, Maas will return for the first time to the nation’s capital as head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos.
Maas brings in a team that has posted a CFL-leading 385 passing yards per game. Meanwhile, Ottawa is right behind at 373 yards per game.
“When we watch the film, I still feel there’s room for our guys to improve and ways of us to get better,” said Maas.
He took a few moments to reflect on what he did in Ottawa last year and how it helped springboard him into the role he’s enjoying today.
“It’s great to go into that atmosphere to play a game,” said Maas. “The fans there do a great job of getting involved in the game. The ownership group there has done a tremendous job putting together that team and the atmosphere. It’s fun to play there, for sure. I’ve already told our guys it’s going to be as exciting of a place to play as we will have all year.
“We have a job to do and that’s to get a W. That’s what I’m more excited about personally. That’s what I think most of our guys are excited about … getting a chance to compete and get the W.”
CFL commissioner Jeffrey Orridge announced before last Sunday’s game that Ottawa would host the Grey Cup game in 2017 , the year of Canada’s 150th birthday.
Maas played a role in building an entertaining brand of football in Ottawa and even though he’s moved on, sees it as a reward for a city that was starved of CFL football after a somewhat dismal period.
“It’s well-deserved,” said Maas. “Great ownership group, great fans, a fantastic facility, people are passionate about football in Ottawa, so I think it’s a great thing the league has rewarded them with the game.”
Maas arrived in Edmonton with plenty of good memories.
“I’ve always said football is about the people,” said Maas. “I had a great group of coaches to work with, a great organization to deal with from the management side and the players were outstanding. I couldn’t have asked for a better situation than I had last year. It was awesome, but I’ve moved on and feel very good about being here.”