The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced Marc Mueller as the new Offensive Coordinator.
Born and raised in Regina, Mueller returns to his home province with a decade of CFL coaching experience after beginning his career with the Calgary Stampeders as a defensive assistant in 2014.
Mueller is the grandson of legendary Roughrider quarterback Ron Lancaster. Mueller’s father, Larry, was the Roughriders’ Assistant General Manager from 1989 to 1992.
He said he is excited to return to coach for his hometown team.
“It’s a really special opportunity. Not many people get to coach professionally to being with, let alone in the place where they grew up and have roots, and not only as a fan and as a resident but also I’m the fourth member of my family to work for the Riders. It’s really special to all of us.”
Mueller said he feels no added pressure despite his strong family connection to the Riders.
“I’ve kind of embraced that my entire life. When I played, it was always, he is that Langcaster’s grandson, he gets an article in the paper because he’s Langcaster’s grandson, stuff like that. I’ve embraced that, I’m proud of that, and I’m excited for it,” he said. “Without that, I don’t know what I’m doing. I got to have the best seat in the house for my entire life on how to learn about football, quarterbacking, and coaching.”
After serving as the defensive assistant, Mueller stayed in Calgary, where he served as the running backs coach (2015-19) and quarterbacks coach (2020-2023). He is a two-time Grey Cup Champion, winning with Calgary in 2014 and 2018.
During that time, he met Corey Mace, the same man who would bring him back to the Land of Living Skies.
Mueller said that through Mace’s tenure in Calgary, the pair became friends and stayed in touch after Mace decided to leave for Toronto and is now in Saskatchewan.
As for the offence, Mueller said it all starts with the quarterback.
“The biggest thing that I learned in Calgary is that you gotta win down the centre. I think that the most important guy is the guy that touches the ball every play, and I think you gotta try to find a way to make him comfortable.”
He said making the quarterback comfortable takes the whole team to be involved.
“It takes 13, maybe 14 people to protect the quarterback, and that includes play calling,” Mueller continued. “I think that what we have to do is start from the middle.”
Mueller believes having a veteran QB like Trevor Harris will make his first time as an OC a little easier.
“As a young coach, I think you couldn’t ask for a better situation than a guy who’s won in this league, been successful in this league, and has won in multiple different offensives.”
Mueller had nothing but praise for Harris.
“There are not many things you can talk to him about as a situation that he hasn’t been through, and that’s not only a big deal for us on the field, but it’s a big deal in the meeting rooms, not only for the quarterback room but the receivers as well. There’s a lot of things that we can lean on there.”
Overall, Mueller is looking forward to returning to Saskatchewan, working for the Roughriders organization, and embracing the pressure that comes with the faces’ expectations.
“It’s truly a place that loves football, and I think it’s an exciting place to work. In the CFL, there’s certain jobs that everyone would love to be a part of and experience, and this is definitely at the top of the list.”
