LARRY MACDOUGAL
Drew Tate will have a familiar shoulder to lean on this season.
The Calgary Stampeders announced Tuesday former quarterback Dave Dickenson will return as the CFL club's offensive co-ordinator. Tate began last season as Calgary's backup before assuming the starting job later in the year ahead of veteran Henry Burris — who was recently dealt to Hamilton — and will enter the 2012 season the team's bona fide starter.
Under Dickenson, Calgary's offence finished tied for second in points scored (511), net yards (6,954) and rushing yards (2,244). Dickenson enters his fourth season as a coach with the Stampeders after spending six of his 11 CFL seasons as the club's quarterback.
Head coach/GM John Hufnagel also announced that special-teams co-ordinator Mark Kilam and receivers coach Pete Costanza will both return in their same capacities this season. As well, Brent Monson will serve as the club's running backs coach after being its defensive line/strength and conditioning coach in 2011 and Mike Gibson will coach the offensive line after handling the team's running backs last year.