HALL FINALIST FOR ESKIMO JOB

REGINA -- Richie Hall has made the final four in the Edmonton Eskimos’ head-coaching search.
Hall -- the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ defensive co-ordinator -- is among four CFL assistant coaches who are being considered by Eskimos general manager Danny Maciocia. The head-coaching position has been vacant since Maciocia stepped down following the 2008 season.
Mario Annicchiarico of the Edmonton Journal reported Tuesday that Hall, Eskimos assistant coach Noel Thorpe, B.C. Lions defensive co-ordinator Mike Benevides and Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive co-ordinator Greg Marshall are the finalists. All of the aforementioned are expected to be interviewed for the second time by Maciocia, who would be joined by Eskimos president-CEO Rick LeLacheur.

According to the Journal, Benevides has twice been interviewed for the Toronto Argonauts’ vacant head-coaching position. Hall was interviewed by the Argos’ brass two weeks ago. It is not known whether Hall has been approached by the Argos for a second interview.

The 48-year-old Hall, a defensive back with the Roughriders from 1988 to 1991, has been an assistant coach with Saskatchewan for 15 years -- the last eight as defensive co-ordinator.
Since the end of the 2004 season, he has been interviewed for seven head-coaching positions.