WINNIPEG — Willie Jefferson endorses Jake Thomas in his new role as the Blue Bombers' defensive line coach.
After all, the veteran rushing end has already seen Thomas coach for six seasons as a teammate in Winnipeg, including the 2025 campaign.
“Jake is one of those old-school X and O guys,” Jefferson said from Texas, where he was visiting family when the Bombers made the announcement Monday.
“Almost once a week during the season, he shows a penchant for being a really good coach, wanting the young guys (in meetings) to get on the board and get the game done. And not just what they should be doing, but knowing what everyone on the defensive line should be doing.”
Former teammates spoke up after the veteran defenseman took the stand. Jefferson doesn't think the transition will be too difficult once the novelty of having Thomas as coach wears off.
“It's going to be awkward for a while, but I have a lot of respect for Jake and his preparation and knowledge of the game,” said Jefferson, 33, who has spoken with the Bombers about a contract extension.
“I think it was a great move. I don't think there's anyone else who deserves it other than Jake. He's going to do a lot of good.”
Thomas played 13 seasons in the CFL before ending his playing career last month. He will take over defensive line duties from retiring coach Darrell Patterson.
Thomas was the longest-tenured Blue Bomber, finishing a career that began in 2012 with 223 regular-season games, the fourth-most in franchise history.
The 35-year-old from Douglas, Neb., has 196 tackles, 33 sacks, five forced fumbles and one interception and helped Winnipeg to Gray Cup titles in 2019 and 2021.
Thomas said during a video call Tuesday that he plans to continue playing when the 2025 season ends, but that changed after speaking with head coach Mike O'Shea.
“It's one of those jobs where if you don't take it now, it won't stay there forever,” said the father of two, whose wife encouraged him to take the job.
O'Shea called Thomas smart and said he could one day become a general manager.
Thomas, who was also a real estate agent before accepting the coaching job, said he has been his own player agent since 2018 and some of the Bombers call him “GM Jake.”
A graduate of Acadia University in Nova Scotia, Thomas runs a youth soccer camp in New Brunswick every February. He wants players from his home province and the East Coast to know they too can make it to the pros.
“I hope they take it as inspiration in the sense that yes, just because you're from a small town in New Brunswick, you can have a long career in the CFL,” he said.
Thomas knows the transition from teammate to coach can be awkward at first, especially with veterans like Jefferson.
“I'm confident that if I say something he doesn't like, he'll respect it and we'll talk about it later,” Thomas said. “But that's part of the job, isn't it? I'm not going to be there not to say what I think is important.”
The club also announced Monday that longtime CFL offensive coordinator Tommy Condell will take the position with the Bombers. He replaces Jason Hogan, who returns to coach the running backs he coached from 2022-24.
O'Shea said he is looking for more experience from the new offensive coordinator. He added that he probably promoted Hogan too early and didn't support him enough.
The Bombers finished 10-8 last season, moved up to the East Division and lost in the semifinals to the Montreal Alouettes, missing out on their sixth straight trip to the Gray Cup.
Their offense ranked seventh in the league in points scored and second in turnovers (45).
Condell was an assistant coach in the CFL for five different teams over 15 seasons, including 10 as an offensive coordinator. He was Winnipeg's special teams coordinator in 1997 and spent the last two seasons as the Ottawa Redblacks' offensive coordinator.
Condell was with Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros in Hamilton during the 2014-15 season as Collaros began to make a name for himself.
Condell said the talent at quarterback hasn't diminished, but the team needs to find ways to better protect the ball. Condell also plans to marry the passing and running game.
Winnipeg star running back Brady Oliveira recently signed a three-year contract.
“I understand Winnipeg's expectations and goals and things like that, but I can only promise (the fans) that I'm going to work hard every day to be able to work hard and understand and respect those goals,” Condell said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 23, 2025.
