Marc Mueller has extensive football experience as both a player and a coach, but he will take on a new position as offensive coordinator in the Canadian Football League (CFL) this season.
“No matter what position you’re in, if you’re a position coach, you want to be the best position coach you can for a coordinator,” Mueller said after the second day of training camp. “That’s why I’ve been doing [this] for the past ten years and hopefully I can be the best offensive coordinator I can be for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.”
Mueller is a two-time Grey Cup champion as an assistant coach with the Calgary Stampeders. He was their running back coach from 2015 to 2019, 2021, and quarterback coach till 2023.
He was hired by the Riders in December 2023 as the team’s newest offensive coordinator.
“Either they had a lot of faith or I fooled them,” joked Mueller. “But I think so far so good. I think the best part is they have a real thirst for knowledge and they want to do more and learn more. It’s been good for me to have guys that are in a different system as well. ‘Hey how have you guys done this before? Can we call this and that?’ I’ve come from a place that’s been relatively the same for a long time.”
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Riders’ receiver Shawn Bane Jr spoke about his prior experience with Mueller
“The transition has gone quite well. I’m familiar with the offense. “I played with him in Calgary, and he trusted his teammates,” Bane added. “He’s obviously a players’ coach. He’s secure in his call and his ability to make those plays.”
Head coach Corey Mace agreed.
“I think it has been great. Starting with the quarterbacks you know talking to Trevor [Harris] about his experience with Mueller. Understanding how the offense has progressed for them,” Mace said. “You know it seems to be really enjoyable and they’ve [been] extremely efficient having to be organized and moving the ball the first two days.”
Mace and Bane are familiar with the Canadian game; nonetheless, American players who are
At their first CFL training camp, however, things are different. “The transition went fairly well. “I am familiar with the offense.””I played with him in Calgary, and he trusted his teammates,” Bane explained. “He’s clearly a player’s coach. He’s confident in his call and ability to execute those plays.”
Head coach Corey Mace agreed.
“I believe it’s been amazing. Starting with the quarterbacks you know, talk to Trevor [Harris] about his experience with Mueller. “Understanding how the offense has progressed for them,” Mace explained. “You know it seems to be really enjoyable and they’ve [been] extremely efficient having to be organized and moving the ball the first two days.”
Mace and Bane are acquainted with the Canadian game; nonetheless, American players
Who are Bane shared an assessment.
“He’s a decent dude and a really nice individual. He’s gained more confidence. There is no timid calling. “He understands the flow of the games and makes the right decisions at the right times,” he continued.
Bane also said Johnson has pleased him with how quickly he has picked up the new offense.
“He was keeping his time, making the appropriate reads, and recognizing the defence. I don’t have any issues. “He’s a fantastic addition,” he added, smirking.
“He [Johnson] has been doing well. “He’s been put in a position where he’s getting a lot of reps, and he’s taking advantage of it,” Mueller said.
Monday’s winds were stronger than the first day of training camp, but Mace says the weather aided the evaluation process and allowed Mueller to become more comfortable calling in the elements.
“There are numerous factors to consider. Situationally, it is quite beneficial to us. To comprehend the elements, we must consider special teams and how they might influence some aspects of the game, as well as Marc’s call of specific plays. “It’s all good practice,” Mace explained.
The Riders’ offense will face its first major test one week from today, when they play the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in their first preseason game.
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