The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have dumped assistant general manager Ross Hodgkinson, who has been with the team in one capacity or another since 1985.

General manager Joe Mack announced Tuesday that his contract wasn't being renewed.

"We would like to take this time to thank Ross for everything he has done for the organization over his time here," Mack said in a release announcing the move.

"With the club looking at going in a different direction when it comes to our front office management, we felt this was in the best interest of the organization to bring in someone new to fill this position. Our search for a new assistant general manager will begin immediately and we hope to have someone in place very soon. We wish Ross all the best."

Hodgkinson started with the Bombers as their head athletic trainer. He has been assistant general manager since 2008 and director of football operations.

The club lists his responsibilities as managing the salary cap, supervising contract transactions and player registrations, as well as connecting with the CFL on football operations, discipline and officiating.

He left the Bombers to become head athletic trainer of the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League in 1996 but rejoined the team in 2002. He also spent two seasons with the Toronto Argonauts in the late 1970s.

Mack, meanwhile, kept his job this year despite the Bombers 6-12 finish out of the playoffs. He sacked coach Paul LaPolice earlier in the season.

Defensive co-ordinator Tim Burke was promoted to interim head coach and last week the club announced he would have the interim tag removed and lead the Bombers in 2013.