OTTAWA — The Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) announced on Monday that veteran CFL executive Jim Popp has joined the Ottawa REDBLACKS as a Senior Football Advisor.
Popp, one of the most accomplished football executives in CFL history, will have a two-part mandate. He will advise OSEG CEO Mark Goudie as the organization determines the permanent leadership structure for REDBLACKS football operations. He will also work alongside general manager and head coach Ryan Dinwiddie and the football staff to strengthen the club’s roster and player pipeline, with a focus on identifying additional talent and strengthening the club’s player pipeline for 2027 and beyond.
“We need to get better and there is no reason to wait until the offseason to start doing that,” said Goudie. “Jim has spent 28 years in this league and has been a part of building championship teams throughout his career. He brings a proven ability identify players who can succeed in the CFL, and he gives me an experienced and independent football perspective as we determine the right long-term structure for this organization.”
Dinwiddie welcomes Popp’s involvement.
“I have known Jim for a long time, and I have a lot of respect for what he has accomplished in the CFL. He brought me to Canada as a player and gave me my start in coaching,” said Dinwiddie. “He has a tremendous network and a proven ability to identify football talent. I’m looking forward to working with him as we continue to build this team.”
Goudie emphasized that Popp’s appointment is an advisory role through the balance of the 2026 season.
“We know there is work to do and we want to use the balance of this season productively. Jim’s involvement allows us to add significant football expertise immediately and support Ryan and his staff, while also making sure we are thoughtful about the permanent structure we put in place. Jim can help us with both.”
Popp will begin working with the REDBLACKS immediately.
A North Carolina native, Popp is one of the most accomplished executives in CFL history. Across three decades in Canadian football, teams built under his leadership appeared in 11 Grey Cups and won five championships, the most Grey Cup appearances by a general manager in league history. He also ranks second all-time among CFL general managers in regular-season victories.
Popp spent 21 seasons as general manager of the Montreal Alouettes, leading the club to eight Grey Cup appearances, three championships and 19 playoff appearances. He previously built the Baltimore Stallions team that won the 1995 Grey Cup and later joined the Toronto Argonauts, winning another championship in his first season as GM in 2017. Throughout his career, Popp has been recognized for his ability to identify, recruit and develop talent capable of succeeding in the CFL.
