Ticats sign GM, coach Austin to extension

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed vice-president of football operations, general manager and head coach Kent Austin to a contract extension on Tuesday. 

TSN can confirm that it’s a four-year deal that keeps Austin in Hamilton through the 2019 season. 

Austin has turned down NFL position coaching jobs and several offers at the NCAA level.

Austin, 52, has been in Hamilton since 2013 and owns a 29-25 record over that period. He led the Ticats to consecutive Grey Cup appearances in 2013 and 2014 but lost to the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Calgary Stampeders respectively. 

“I’m very grateful to Bob Young, Scott Mitchell and our entire organization for this extension and believing in our vision for this team,” said Austin in a press release. “A great foundation has been built the past few seasons, and we’ll continue to develop our program to ensure the opportunity for not only short-term but sustained success. Simply put, it’s easy to wake up excited every day when you work with such tremendous individuals who share the common goal of just being the best.”

In other league news, both defensive end John Chick and receiver Weston Dressler, who were released last week by the Saskatchewan Roughriders, are receiving interest from teams in the CFL.

Dressler has had at least one contract offer and is believed to be in discussions at this point with both the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Calgary Stampeders.

Chick has not hit the negotiation stage yet but has had discussions with the Bombers, Tiger-Cats and Montreal Alouettes.