Jim Popp is back in the CFL

The Ottawa Rouge et Noir are going through a particularly difficult stretch in 2026.

Still searching
for its first win after ten games, the team from Canada's capital has decided to bring in a well-known figure from the Canadian Football League (CFL): Jim Popp.

The former general manager of the Montreal Alouettes will serve as the club's senior advisor through the end of the season. His arrival comes just days after the dismissal of vice president of football operations, Shawn Burke. The organization had also announced the departure of President Adrian Sciarra earlier in August.

Popp's primary role will be to support Mark Goudie, president and CEO of the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, as the Rouge et Noir seeks to establish a new
permanent structure
for its football operations.

He will also work with Ryan Dinwiddie, general manager and head coach, to improve the current roster. Special attention will be given to recruitment, the development of young players, and preparing the team for the 2027 season and beyond.

Recognized Expertise in the CFL

Jim Popp's experience could prove invaluable to a team in the midst of a rebuild. During his 21 seasons at the helm of the Alouettes, he helped build several competitive teams and won three Grey Cups. He then added another championship to his resume with the Toronto Argonauts in 2017.

Popp also knows Ryan Dinwiddie very well. The two men worked together in Montreal, where Popp notably recruited Dinwiddie as a player before mentoring him through his early days as a coach.

For Ottawa, this appointment therefore represents more than just a temporary solution. The goal is to leverage Popp's expertise and network to quickly identify the organization's needs and lay the groundwork for a sustainable rebuild.

With a 0-10 record, the Rouge et Noir will now have to turn that expertise into results, while laying the groundwork for a more competitive team by 2027.

Created by humans, assisted by AI.