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Alouettes fire head coach Tom Higgins

Dave Sandford / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Montreal Alouettes have fired head coach Tom Higgins and will turn to general manager Jim Popp to guide them for the foreseeable future.

The Alouettes relieved Higgins of his duties just a day after Montreal defeated the BC Lions 23-13 at BC Place to improve their record to 3-5 on the season. Higgins was hired prior to the 2014 season, and following a 1-7 start last year, he led the Als to a 9-9 record and a postseason berth.

Popp will now take over as head coach for the fourth time in his career and has fired his head coach midseason twice in the last three seasons.

Alouettes owner Bob Wetenhall released a short statement to announce the decision.

"General Manager Jim Popp will take over the duties of head coach at this time," Wetenhall said. "Our management and I have full confidence in Jim, as do our players.

"We have made this change as we believe it is in the best interest of our team, and especially our fans. We all wish to express to Tom our affection and respect, as well as our appreciation for the contributions he has made to the franchise."

Popp's first game back on the sidelines will come Thursday, Aug. 27 when Montreal visits the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He's gone 16-20 with a 1-4 record in the playoffs during his three previous stints as a head coach.

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