In a surprising turn of events, former Ottawa Redblacks head coach Bob Dyce has swiftly returned to the Canadian Football League sidelines, forgoing a family vacation to accept a key role with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
A Vacation Interrupted by a Coaching Call
Just days after being dismissed by the Ottawa Redblacks following the conclusion of the 2025 CFL season, Bob Dyce was contemplating a well-earned break with his wife, Amanda. The plan involved an extensive trip to Europe and Africa. However, those travel plans were put on hold when the Hamilton Tiger-Cats reached out with a professional opportunity.
Dyce confirmed the sequence of events from his home in Winnipeg, stating he was content with either outcome. "I was kind of fine either way," Dyce said. "I thought about taking Amanda over to Europe and Africa if things didn't work, but at the same time I knew if the right opportunity presented itself, I was going to be more than excited to jump at it."
Securing a "Slam-Dunk" Hire for Hamilton
The Tiger-Cats moved quickly to secure Dyce, announcing his appointment as the team's new special teams coordinator and assistant head coach earlier this week. For Hamilton's head coach, Scott Milanovich, the acquisition was a clear win.
"We’re very fortunate that Bob Dyce was available, and I feel he is a slam-dunk hire," Milanovich said in an official release. "His experience, leadership and character will serve our players and our organization extremely well." Milanovich emphasized that Dyce's hiring contributes to the critical coaching staff stability needed as the team builds toward a Grey Cup goal in 2026.
This hire marks the second time Milanovich has attempted to bring Dyce into his coaching fold, with previous discussions occurring during an off-season when Dyce was previously between jobs.
Returning to a Coaching Passion
For Dyce, the Hamilton role represents a return to the coaching discipline where he built his reputation. Prior to his tenure as head coach in Ottawa, Dyce served as a special teams coordinator for a decade, beginning with a two-season stint with the Saskatchewan Roughriders before his promotion in Ottawa.
Dyce took over the Redblacks on an interim basis from Paul LaPolice late in the 2022 season and remained in the head coaching role until his dismissal after the final game of 2025. His overall record with Ottawa was 18 wins, 39 losses, and 1 tie.
Financially, the move to Hamilton is straightforward. Any salary earned from the Tiger-Cats in the 2026 season will be deducted from the final year of compensation still owed to him by the Ottawa Redblacks.
As for the postponed vacation? Dyce humorously noted that his wife might not be too disappointed. "No, I think she’s actually excited that I won’t be (at home in Winnipeg) year ’round," he joked. For Bob Dyce, the call of the game has once again proven irresistible, launching a new chapter in his CFL career just as another seemed to have concluded.
