George Cortez has made his first hire as new head coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Cortez, who was just introduced by the Ticats last week, has hired Casey Creehan as the team's defensive co-ordinator. Creehan spent the last two seasons as linebackers coach with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, helping them to the 2011 Grey Cup.
"I'm very excited to add Casey to our staff as defensive co-ordinator," said Cortez, who left his post as Buffalo Bills quarterbacks coach to join the Ticats. "He's been involved with an exciting style of defence in Winnipeg over the last couple of years and after working together in Calgary, I know that Casey is capable of leading an energetic, aggressive defence here in Hamilton."
Creehan also spent one season coaching the linebackers with the Montreal Alouettes (2008) and four seasons (2004-07) as defensive line coach with the Calgary Stampeders.
"I'm honoured to have the opportunity to join the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and work with Coach Cortez, whose track record as a coach speaks for itself," said Creehan. "We look forward to creating a fast, physical defence that is centred on fundamentals."
Creehan also held various coaching positions at several U.S colleges, such as Eastern Michigan, James Madison University, Clarion University, Southern Illinois University and Lehigh University.
Creehan's departure from Winnipeg creates a third coaching vacancy on the Bombers staff. Receivers coach Chris Wiesehan left the Bombers to take a coaching position with the University of Hawaii. The team must also replace offensive co-ordinator Jamie Barresi, who was fired right after the 2011 season.
Rachel Brady