The 112th Grey Cup presents a fascinating clash of coaching personalities as Saskatchewan Roughriders' Corey Mace and Montreal Alouettes' Jason Maas prepare their teams for Canadian football's ultimate showdown at Winnipeg's Princess Auto Stadium this Sunday.
While both coaches share similar career trajectories and mutual respect, their sideline demeanors couldn't be more different, creating an intriguing subplot to the championship game.
Contrasting Leadership Styles
During Tuesday's media conference in Winnipeg, the two head coaches appeared remarkably aligned in their philosophy and approach. Both were polite, introspective, and generous in praising their opponents while expressing gratitude to the CFL franchises they've represented as both players and coaches.
The coaches even shared a lighthearted moment recalling their playing careers overlapping for one game back in 2010, complete with photographic evidence of their younger selves on the field.
As co-finalists for the CFL's coach-of-the-year award for the second consecutive season, with the winner to be announced Thursday night, both coaches demonstrated why they've earned this recognition.
Philosophical Foundations
When asked by Winnipeg Free Press reporter Jeff Hamilton about what makes effective head coaches, their answers revealed their core beliefs about leadership.
Jason Maas, who won the coach-of-the-year honor in 2024, immediately pointed to "Players" as the foundation of success before expanding his praise to include everyone within the organization.
Corey Mace emphasized "Relationships and how you treat people, everybody in the organization" as the key to effective coaching. Mace brings substantial championship experience to the Roughriders, having played defensive tackle and served as an assistant coach with the Calgary Stampeders before a Cup-winning stint with the Toronto Argonauts that prepared him for his current role.
Sideline Personalities on Display
While equally capable of leading their teams to championship glory, their on-field personalities diverge dramatically.
Standing on Saskatchewan's sideline in his second season as a CFL head coach, Mace maintains a stoic, thoughtful presence, rarely showing emotion while methodically chewing his gum. When previously asked about his gum preference, Mace demonstrated his self-deprecating humor by admitting he didn't know the brand name but recognized it "has a No. 5 on the side." When informed it was "5 Gum," he eagerly laughed at himself.
This ability to take situations seriously while not taking himself too seriously has become one of Mace's endearing qualities. It may have contributed to his unorthodox but successful strategy during the closing minutes of Saturday's West final against the B.C. Lions.
In a move that surprised many observers, Mace eschewed attempting a third-and-goal, game-tying touchdown in favor of kicking a field goal that trimmed B.C.'s lead to four points. The decision seemed questionable initially but proved brilliant when his defense twice stopped the Lions, enabling Saskatchewan's final possession to become a game-winning touchdown drive orchestrated by veteran quarterback Trevor Harris.
Meanwhile, Jason Maas brings a more fiery presence to the Alouettes' sideline, though those familiar with his career note he has grown calmer than his earlier coaching iterations. His passion remains evident but is now tempered by experience and maturity.
As football fans across Canada prepare for Sunday's championship battle, the contrasting styles of these two accomplished coaches add another layer of intrigue to what promises to be an unforgettable Grey Cup contest.
