MONTREAL -- Coach Tom Higgins calls working with general manager Jim Popp "a match made in heaven. Paul Coffey Penguins Jersey ." And the pleasantries exchanged between the two men on a conference call on Tuesday made it hard to imagine they were rivals for the Montreal Alouettes head coaches job. That was settled when team owner Bob Wetenhall insisted that the jobs of coach and general manager be kept separate, and that Popp would have to stick to his GM duties. "This is the model that has made us successful," said Wetenhall. "This has given Jim the time and the freedom to go out and build our team, year after year, always with a few new players added. "To have a GM with the freedom and the time to do this is the model we really wanted to go back to." In the 59-year-old Higgins, the Alouettes hired a CFL veteran who spent seven years as a head coach in Edmonton and Calgary, winning a Grey Cup with the Eskimos in 2003. The Woodbridge, N.J., native spent the last six years as the leagues director of officiating. "Tom brings a winning record and a tremendous reputation as a stand-up, high class guy," said Wetenhall. Popp, the teams general manager since it returned to Montreal in 1996 who is considered among the CFLs best, had hoped to continue in both jobs after taking over from the fired Dan Hawkins, who had no previous CFL experience, only five games in to the 2013 campaign. When Higgins was confirmed in the job on Monday, it raised speculation that Popp may be on his way out. Wetenhall would not confirm Popps long-term status with the club, but made it clear he wanted his GM to stay. And Popp, whose name has been linked to NFL jobs in recent years, said hes wants to carry on. "Ive been with the Alouettes for 18 years -- I plan on being there, its my other home," said Popp. "Ive had six children that were all born in Montreal and I really have no interest in leaving. "Circumstances come up, but the organization knows how loyal I am. Im a company man and its a place I enjoy being. Theres a lot that gets thrown around out there, a lot of it thats not true. But Im very happy." That Popp joined in the conference call was a surprise. His name wasnt mentioned in the Higgins announcement. And it was unusual that the general manager was not involved in the decision to hire the head coach. Wetenhalls son Andrew, a team governor, said that as a candidate for the coaching job, Popp would have been in conflict of interest if he had a say in who the next coach would be. But Popp had provided the owners with a list of potential coaching candidates with an assessment of their abilities. "This is a case where two people can work together who didnt select one another," said Andrew Wetenhall. "We have the added benefit of two guys who know each other and have a heck of a lot of respect for each other." Higgins said he didnt feel awkward at all working with Popp. "I couldnt be happier," he said. "I think our personalities complement one another. "We both want the same thing. This is an opportunity for myself to get back on the field where I belong. This is not a challenge whatsoever." Higgins first job will be to hire an offensive co-ordinator and fill out the coaching staff, which he expects to complete within 10 days. The Alouettes had already signed defensive co-ordinator Noel Thorpe to a two-year contract extension on Dec. 4, with the added title of assistant head coach. They also confirmed that Andre Bolduc, a former CFL player and head coach at Sherbrooke University, was signed as a defensive assistant coach. Wetenhall said one of Higgins assets was his ability to work with young quarterbacks, which will be needed in Montreal this season. For the first time since 2000, they will not have Anthony Calvillo as the starter as the CFLs all-time passing leader has retired. Troy Smith, the 2006 Heisman Trophy winner, and youngster Tanner Marsh are expected to compete for the starting job, with Alex Brink also in the picture. Higgins said he has worked with gifted young pivots before in Henry Burris and Ricky Ray. He feels the Alouettes can improve on last years 8-10 season. "Ive always marvelled at the level of talent in Montreal," he said. "I hope to bring a level of consistency and discipline. "We are going to be competitive and entertaining. And when you start doing that and playing disciplined football, usually you win more than you lose." Riley Sheahan Penguins Jersey .Y. -- It was as if Matt Moulson never left the New York Islanders. Mario Lemieux Penguins Jersey . A knee to the thigh might have stung him the most, but his sixth straight double-double made up for the brief burst of pain. http://www.penguinsauthenticofficial.com/matt-murray-jersey/ .Stanton suffered fractures in his face and other injuries when he was hit by a pitch Sept. 11. The Marlins are confident hell fully recover and be ready for spring training, and they hope to reach a long-term agreement with him.YANGMEI, Taiwan - Defending champion Suzann Pettersen struggled with three early bogeys but recovered for a 1-over 73 Saturday to maintain a four-shot lead after the third round of the Sunrise Championship. The Norwegian dropped three shots over the first five holes but had three birdies and just one more bogey the rest of the way for a 6-under total of 210. The trio of Azahara Munoz, Sun Young Yoo and Carlota Ciganda were four shots back heading into the final round. One of Pettersens bogeys came on the par-3 second, which she aced on Friday. "On the second, I kind of made a little amateur mistake trying to get too cute on the tee ball and left myself with a very tough up and down," Pettersen said. "I just couldnt get it going and made a few errors. Today was a tough day for me. It was all about hanging in there and trying to bring it back to where I started." Pettersen birdied par-5s on the eighth and 13th before another bogey at the 17th. She finished off with a birdie on 18 for a three-day total of 6-under. "I coould easily have lost it out there today," Pettersen said. Paul Martin Penguins Jersey. . "It was — you know, some days are easy, some days are not that easy, some of the times you see everything youre going to do right in front of you. Munoz shot a 69 at the Sunrise Golf and Country Club to climb up the leaderboard, while Yoo and Ciganda both shot 72. Munoz has just one top-10 finish on the LPGA Tour this year, but won a Ladies European Tour event in France in September. "Its fun finally being in contention and being in one of either the leading group or second leading groups," said Munoz, who was second in Taiwan in 2011. Im just going to go out there and keep playing like I am." After her poor start, Pettersen recovered with birdies on No. 8 and 13 before three-putting for another bogey on 17. But she finished with a birdie to carry a bit of momentum into Sunday. "I could easily have lost it out there today," Pettersen said. "Obviously nice to finish on a good note. This is far from over." Cheap Heat Jerseys Cheap Bucks Jerseys Cheap Timberwolves Jerseys Cheap Pelicans Jerseys Cheap Knicks Jerseys Cheap Thunder Jerseys Cheap Magic Jerseys Cheap 76ers Jerseys Cheap Suns Jerseys Cheap Blazers Jerseys Cheap Sacramento Kings Jerseys Cheap Spurs Jerseys Cheap Raptors Jerseys Cheap Jazz Jerseys Cheap Wizards Jerseys ' ' '