The Saskatchewan Roughriders have announced that Brendan Taman will continue to be the general manager of the team and will take over as head of football operations.

The team has eliminated the Vice President of Football Operations position previously held by Ken Miller.

“We will not be replacing Ken (Miller) with a new vice-president of football operations. Rather, we will be returning to a more traditional structure with Brendan (Taman) being GM and having full control of football operations,” said Jim Hopson, president and CEO of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

“I think that will be the best solution for us to move forward.”

Taman's main priority will be to hire a new head coach for the team.

“That process is slowly started underway now. We’re making our lists. We’re having internal meetings right now on what we want in a head coach,” said Taman.

“Unfortunately, we’ve gone through this not too long ago so I have a pretty good idea what I’m looking for.”

The interviewing process will begin as early as next week. Taman says he won't be talking about coaches who have positions on teams currently in the playoffs.

Taman says the current coaches are evaluating the current team. Currently, there are 14 players who are free agents.

Taman says former Saskatchewan Roughrider and current football operations co-ordinator Jeremy O'Day will be the new assistant general manager. Craig Smith will continue to be the director of player personnel.

"I can guarantee you (O'Day) is going to be a G.M. in this league someday," exclaimed Taman.

Taman has only one year remaining on his contract and they have not talked about extending that deal. Hopson says it's not an issue right now they feel needs to be taken care of.

As to why Taman gets a promotion after a 5-13 season, Hopson says the decision was made diligently and rationally instead of reactionary and emotionally.

"I look at what he brought to this team and at his success when he was the true G.M. in Winnipeg. I speak to the years '06, '07 and '08 when he had his head coach that team went from 5-13 to three years in the playoffs, two home playoff games and a Grey Cup appearance."

Hopson added he felt there was no need to clean house after a disappointing season.

Edited by News Talk Radio's Karin Yeske.