Montreal Alouettes general manager Jim Popp (right) and former head coach Don Matthews pose for the cameras in this October 2003 file photo. Popp took over coaching duties Oct. 4, 2006, when Matthews resigned due to health concerns. (Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press)

There will come a time when Ben Cahoon can better reflect on his illustrious career in the Canadian Football League.

The list of accomplishments is long and includes a Grey Cup ring, two CFL most outstanding Canadian awards, six seasons of at least 1,000 reception yards and seven East Division all-star nominations.

Cahoon, though, is perhaps most grateful for a move made during the 2002 season by then-coach Don Matthews that saw him shift inside to slotback from wide receiver.

Cahoon led the Montreal Alouettes in catches and receiving yards that season and has become one of the game's most prolific pass-catchers of all time.

"He really impacted my career greatly," Cahoon told CBC Sports Online, referring to Matthews. "I learned more from Don Matthews than other coach I've had in football."

On Oct. 4, 2006, Matthews resigned as coach of the Alouettes, citing health reasons. He left with a record 231 CFL wins as well as 13 post-season victories.

However, the team was left in the capable hands of general manager Jim Popp, who was urged by Matthews to return to the sidelines as he did late in the 2001 campaign following the firing of Rod Rust.

Montreal responded to Matthews's departure with a resounding 35-8 rout of the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders on Oct. 9, its second straight victory following a six-game losing streak.

The Alouettes lost their next two contests, only to rebound with a 24-20 comeback win in Toronto to win the East and gain a bye to the division final on Nov. 12.

Popp told Sports Online he is happy with how the players have responded to him and the assistant coaches, who have assumed more responsibility with Popp overseeing the club.

"Everyone has been fantastic," Popp said. "We've lost a lot of quality people within the organization this year, including our assistant GM [Marcel Desjardins joined Hamilton as GM], our athletic trainer and an assistant in our PR [public relations] department.

"It's one of those seasons in which everyone has done more jobs than normal, but luckily we have been able to function through it. I think it made us stronger."

Centre Bryan Chiu, for one, believes the team has rallied around Popp, whom he believes is putting the team in position to win games.

"One of the biggest things about Jim, whether we win or lose, is he's even-keeled," said Chiu, who has played his entire 10-year CFL career in Montreal. "The veteran guys appreciate that. Guys respond well if they know the effort is there from the coach."

Chiu noted Popp is doing a good job of keeping things simple.

When asked what he misses most about Matthews, the six-foot-two, 296-pound offensive lineman said without hesitation: his humour. It's a feeling shared by many of his teammates.

"Believe it or not, he's a funny guy," Chiu said of Matthews, who rarely was mistaken for a jokester from his dealings with the media.

Through Matthews's often crusty exterior, many people on the outside saw a man who was egotistical, driven, rude, chauvinistic, abrasive, brilliant and moody.

"That was the great thing about Don," Chiu said. "He could distract the media from the players."

Cahoon called Matthews's comedic ways one of his gifts. "He was hilarious, he kept everyone loose," Cahoon said, adding he misses the confidence exuded by his former coach. "It's contagious. He made sure we were ready to play physically each week."

Wide receiver Dave Stala, who thanked Matthews for giving him an opportunity to play in the CFL, agreed with Cahoon, saying the coach always approached games with the belief his team would win.

"We still have that approach," said Stala, who caught 83 passes for 1,037 yards in 2005, his first full season under Matthews. "The guys also respect coach Popp and have to believe in and trust his decisions [during games]."

All-star offensive guard Scott Flory praised Popp for a smooth transition back into coaching and said everything has remained status quo from when Matthews was calling the shots.

"Don set up a system, a well-oiled machine that has kept going since his departure," said Flory, a veteran of eight CFL seasons, all with Montreal. "We miss his little nuances and his ability to keep the dressing room light. He let the players play."

Toronto Argonauts linebacker Mike O'Shea played for Matthews in 1996 when the latter guided the Boatmen to the first of back-to-back Grey Cup titles.

An intelligent football mind, Matthews was especially effective come playoff time, said O'Shea.

"I wish he was still [in Montreal]. I miss that challenge [of facing his teams]," O'Shea said. "I believe you want to play teams at the highest level and those that are competitive all the time. Montreal is that and I'm sure Jim [Popp] is too."

Popp, who still talks with Matthews on a regular basis, said he doesn't expect his friend to return to coaching, despite rumours to the contrary.

If so, Flory knows of a fitting final chapter for the CFL's most successful coach – a Grey Cup championship.

"To do it for Don in his last year," said Flory, "hopefully we'll write the script for him."