WINNIPEG, MB., – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced several coaching staff updates for the 2026 Canadian Football League season. Tommy Condell has been appointed the club’s new offensive coordinator, while longtime defensive lineman Jake Thomas will transition from his playing career into the role of defensive line coach, succeeding the retiring Darrell Patterson. In addition, Jason Hogan will return as running backs coach, resuming a position he previously held from 2022–2024.
Condell arrives in Winnipeg after two seasons as offensive coordinator with the Ottawa Redblacks and brings 15 years of CFL coaching experience across five organizations. His CFL journey began with the Blue Bombers in 1997 as Jeff Reinebold’s special teams coordinator, followed by roles with the Ottawa Renegades (2004–05), Saskatchewan Roughriders (2006), Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2014–15; 2020–23), Toronto Argonauts (2017–18) and the Redblacks (2024–25).
He contributed to Toronto’s 2017 Grey Cup championship staff and has served multiple stints as an offensive coordinator: with Saskatchewan in 2006, Hamilton from 2013–15 and 2021–23, Toronto in 2018, and Ottawa in 2024–25. His broader coaching background includes positions at Illinois Wesleyan (1995), the Albany Firebirds (1996), Hamilton Continentals (1996), McNeese State (1998–99), Stephen F. Austin (2000), Louisiana-Monroe (2001–03), Southeastern Louisiana (2007–09) and Cornell (2010–12).
Under Condell’s direction, the Redblacks finished eighth in offensive points in 2025 despite starting four quarterbacks while Dru Brown missed nine games. Ottawa ranked fifth in passing yards per game (269.3) and sixth in rushing (93.6). In 2024, the Redblacks placed second in passing (303.1 yards per game) and ninth in rushing (83.7), with Brown throwing for a career-high 3,959 yards in his first season as the starter. During Condell’s tenure in Hamilton, the Tiger-Cats led the league in scoring and ranked second in passing in 2019, and he worked closely with Zach Collaros during the quarterback’s breakout seasons in 2014–15.
Thomas enters coaching after an exceptional 13-year playing career with Winnipeg, appearing in 223 regular-season games and five Grey Cups, and contributing to championship victories in 2019 and 2021. His 223 games played rank fourth in franchise history, trailing only Bob Cameron (394), Troy Westwood (293) and Chris Walby (249).
Drafted in the fourth round (29th overall) in 2012 out of Acadia University, Thomas developed into a dependable starter and respected leader known for his preparation and film study. He retires with 33 sacks, 196 tackles, five forced fumbles and one interception, now bringing that experience and leadership to the Blue Bombers’ coaching staff.
