Alouettes GM Maciocia thrilled with Alouettes’ season after some up-and-down years

MONTREAL — Danny Maciocia’s quality of life has significantly improved this season with the Montreal Alouettes.

The 56-year-old Maciocia became the Alouettes’ general manager in 2020 and faced uncertain ownership until Québécois billionaire Pierre Karl Péladeau purchased the team from the CFL in March, saving it from potential closure.

Now, after a successful 11-7 season, the Alouettes are preparing to host a playoff game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the East Division semifinal on Saturday.

Before the CFL Draft in May, Maciocia expressed that he was finally getting proper rest after two years. He is now reaping the rewards of a full season with a good night’s sleep.

“It’s amazing how productive you can be when you wake up the next day and go to work after getting a good night’s sleep,” said Maciocia on Tuesday. “This season has exceeded my expectations.”

Not only has it benefited him professionally, but it has also had a positive impact on his personal life. Maciocia believes his family has noticed a difference in his improved mood.

“I’m more approachable, engaging, and sociable,” he said. “Before, I had a very limited window of time at home because I went to bed right away.

“Working in a healthier environment makes all the difference in the world.”

Despite the stabilizing presence of Péladeau, the Alouettes had already suffered losses prior to his arrival. On the first day of free agency in February, they lost starting quarterback Trevor Harris, top wide receiver Eugene Lewis, and top defensive player Adarius Pickett, among others.

Maciocia received confirmation that he could spend money on free agents just hours before the signing window opened. Despite the limited time, he managed to sign quarterback Cody Fajardo as the new starter. However, most experts predicted the Alouettes to be one of the weakest teams in the league.

In fact, CFL.ca ranked Montreal last in its pre-season power rankings.

“If there was a 10th team, we’d be 10th,” joked Maciocia.

But instead of being at the bottom, the Alouettes surprised everyone by winning 11 games, their best record since 2012. They finished fourth in points for and second in points allowed this season.

Could Maciocia have envisioned this kind of success?

“In January, I wasn’t even sure if the CFL would still be an eight-team league,” he admitted.

However, as the Alouettes progressed through training camp, Maciocia was impressed with the signings of players like receivers Austin Mack and Tyler Snead, as well as the work of new head coach Jason Maas, whom he hired in December.

“I started to believe that something positive was brewing,” he said. “The signings from south of the border and the coaching staff’s efforts made us feel good about ourselves.”

Of all the moves that contributed to the team’s success, Maciocia considers hiring Maas to be the best decision he made.

He believes Maas is a strong candidate for the CFL Coach of the Year award, considering the team’s major changes during the offseason.

“We didn’t have players, we didn’t know who the owner would be, and we didn’t even have a team president. Through his hard work and the staff he assembled, he exceeded expectations,” Maciocia praised Maas. “He definitely deserves consideration for Coach of the Year, considering the challenges he had to face.”

Among the new signings, Mack stood out with 1,154 receiving yards in 17 games, while Snead tied for the team lead with five touchdown receptions. Cornerbacks Kabion Ento and Kordell Rogers also played pivotal roles in the team’s strong defense.

Maciocia also acquired veteran Shawn Lemon during the season to strengthen the defensive line. In 13 games, the 34-year-old Lemon recorded nine sacks, 26 tackles, two interceptions, and one forced fumble.

Due to Lemon’s contributions and others, Maas commended Maciocia for building a great culture within the team.

“To transition from GM to coaching in the middle of the year, leading a team to the playoffs, hiring the right people, and recruiting talented players,” said Maas of Maciocia. “He has done an exceptional job as a GM for this team.”

Maciocia hopes that this season is just the beginning of sustained success for the Alouettes. Despite losing all seven games against the league’s top three teams, he believes the gap between them and the best teams is small. Continuity, in his opinion, is what sets them apart.

“This is our first time experiencing this collectively,” he explained. “In professional sports, you need to go through certain situations and scenarios as an organization, as a staff, and as an individual.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Oct. 31, 2023.

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press