Potential head coaches

[paulwoods13]

The division finals got me thinking (more than usual) about possible candidates to be our head coach in 2020. I got to thinking, who would be on a "long list" of potential coaches if Bill Manning and Pinball Clemons wanted to turn over every stone. Without a ton of effort, I came up with no fewer than 30 names I think would be worth putting on such a list. Some of them are not really viable for one reason or another, but a lot of them could conceivably be interested in and qualified for the job. And no doubt I have forgotten some obvious (and maybe some not-so-obvious) contenders.

• Kent Austin, Liberty OC, former Ham-Sask HC, former Argo OC
• Jim Barker, Ham asst coach/personnel guy, former Argo HC and GM
• Marcus Brady, Indianapolis QB coach, former Argo OC
• Rick Campbell, former Ott HC
• Corey Chamblin, Argo HC
• DeVone Claybrooks, former BC HC, former Cal DC
• Pinball Clemons, Argo GM, former Argo HC
• Tommy Condell, Ham OC, former Argo OC
• Ryan Dinwiddie, Cal QB coach
• Kevin Eiben, Argo LB coach, former Argo STC
• Jamie Elizondo, XFL Tampa asst, former Argo-Ott OC
• Richie Hall, Wpg DC, former Edm HC, former Sask DC
• Jonathan Himebauch, XFL Tampa asst, former Argo-Edm-Mtl OL coach
• John Hufnagel, Cal president/GM, former Cal HC
• Chris Jones, Cleveland asst, former Edm-Sask HC, former Argo-Cal-Mtl DC
• Khari Jones, Mtl HC, former Ham-BC OC
• June Jones, XFL Houston HC, former Ham HC-OC
• Mark Kilam, Cal STC
• Paul LaPolice, Wpg OC, former Wpg HC, former Argo asst
• Jason Maas, Edm HC, former Ott OC, former Argo asst
• Greg Marshall, UWO HC, former Ham HC
• Scott Milanovich, Jacksonville QB coach, former Argo HC, former Mtl OC
• Mike O'Shea, Wpg HC, former Argo STC
• Stef Ptaszek, McMaster HC, former Ham OC
• Jeff Reinebold, Ham STC, former Wpg HC, former Ham DC, former BC STC
• Jason Shivers, Sask DC
• Rich Stubler, former BC DC, former Argo HC-DC, DC elsewhere
• Noel Thorpe, Ott DC, formerly Mtl DC
• Steve Walsh, Sask QC coach, former Argo asst
• Mark Washington, Ham DC, former BC DC

[Stevoman]

Off that list, I'd take Mark Washington with Tommy Condell as OC. I'd also be fine with Pinball re-taking the reigns.

[AngeloV]

Off that list, I'd take Mark Washington with Tommy Condell as OC. I'd also be fine with Pinball re-taking the reigns.

But why would Condell leave for a lateral move? If he isn't offered a HC position, he isn't going anywhere. I know Paul doesn't believe it will happen, but I still think O'Shea will be the guy. The fact he is still unsigned for next year tells me he will explore all avenues, and I think he will want to be the one to turn the team he spilled blood and guts for around.

[Argo57]

Great list Paul.
Makes for some interesting speculation which is always fun.
I’ve broken down the list by possible HC, DC and OC.
As you said some feasible and some probably not for various reasons but coaches could become available from other teams.
Depending on the specialty of the HC hire (assuming they make a change) here are some possibilities:

HC Possibilities
Michael O’Shea
Tommy Condell
Paul LaPolice
Mike Benevides
Chris Jones
Rick Campbell

OC Possibilities
Ryan Dinwiddie
Buck Pierce
June Jones
Jaime Elizondo
Jonathan Himebauch

DC Possibilities
Mike Benevides
Ryan Phillips (BC Lions DB Coach)
Noel Thorpe
Phillip Lolley
Jordan Younger

[paulwoods13]

Sure enough, missed Benevides on my list. Pierce as well altho I think he needs to be a coordinator first.

[Treblecharger1]

I am not sure he would do it, But I think Steve Spurrier would make a great CFL coach. His team down in the AAF was fun to watch.

Just thinking outside the box

[cfl-cis fan]

The division finals got me thinking (more than usual) about possible candidates to be our head coach in 2020. I got to thinking, who would be on a "long list" of potential coaches if Bill Manning and Pinball Clemons wanted to turn over every stone. Without a ton of effort, I came up with no fewer than 30 names I think would be worth putting on such a list. Some of them are not really viable for one reason or another, but a lot of them could conceivably be interested in and qualified for the job. And no doubt I have forgotten some obvious (and maybe some not-so-obvious) contenders.

• Kent Austin, Liberty OC, former Ham-Sask HC, former Argo OC
• Jim Barker, Ham asst coach/personnel guy, former Argo HC and GM
• Marcus Brady, Indianapolis QB coach, former Argo OC
• Rick Campbell, former Ott HC
• Corey Chamblin, Argo HC
• DeVone Claybrooks, former BC HC, former Cal DC
• Pinball Clemons, Argo GM, former Argo HC
• Tommy Condell, Ham OC, former Argo OC
• Ryan Dinwiddie, Cal QB coach
• Kevin Eiben, Argo LB coach, former Argo STC
• Jamie Elizondo, XFL Tampa asst, former Argo-Ott OC
• Richie Hall, Wpg DC, former Edm HC, former Sask DC
• Jonathan Himebauch, XFL Tampa asst, former Argo-Edm-Mtl OL coach
• John Hufnagel, Cal president/GM, former Cal HC
• Chris Jones, Cleveland asst, former Edm-Sask HC, former Argo-Cal-Mtl DC
• Khari Jones, Mtl HC, former Ham-BC OC
• June Jones, XFL Houston HC, former Ham HC-OC
• Mark Kilam, Cal STC
• Paul LaPolice, Wpg OC, former Wpg HC, former Argo asst
• Jason Maas, Edm HC, former Ott OC, former Argo asst
• Greg Marshall, UWO HC, former Ham HC
• Scott Milanovich, Jacksonville QB coach, former Argo HC, former Mtl OC
• Mike O'Shea, Wpg HC, former Argo STC
• Stef Ptaszek, McMaster HC, former Ham OC
• Jeff Reinebold, Ham STC, former Wpg HC, former Ham DC, former BC STC
• Jason Shivers, Sask DC
• Rich Stubler, former BC DC, former Argo HC-DC, DC elsewhere
• Noel Thorpe, Ott DC, formerly Mtl DC
• Steve Walsh, Sask QC coach, former Argo asst
• Mark Washington, Ham DC, former BC DC

I wish we could get Marcus Brady back in any role

[AngeloV]

I am not sure he would do it, But I think Steve Spurrier would make a great CFL coach. His team down in the AAF was fun to watch.

Just thinking outside the box

For starters, Too old. An old coach may decide to retire at any time, and then you may be going through this process again way before you want to. Not to mention, no CFL experience, and maybe not a lot of contacts that know the league.

[bannedforlife]

Sure enough, missed Benevides on my list.

I was going to point that out but he cuts a jaunty figure on the sidelines and I'd like him to stay there to at least keep the amount of air time that goes to Davis Sanchez to a minimum.

[paulwoods13]

Another name I forgot to include was Damon Allen.

[ArgoZ]

Another name I forgot to include was Damon Allen.

Does Allen have a position with the club? I see him at every home game, wearing Argonauts gear, often on the sidelines. I could definitely see him fulfilling an assistant spot, should he want one. I really see a bunch of former Argo players headed our way thanks to Pinball.

[paulwoods13]

I think Damon would want to be head coach, not an assistant. I would not rule out it happening, altho I would far rather have someone with coaching experience at the top of the chart.

[AngeloV]

I think Damon would want to be head coach, not an assistant. I would not rule out it happening, altho I would far rather have someone with coaching experience at the top of the chart.

The more I think about it, the less coaching experience really matters to me. Pinball proved this when he took over as head coach. What you really need is a head coach that can put together a good group of coordinators and assistants, but is really in tune with the game for the all important game day decisions, like when to go for a 3rd down gamble, an appropriate time to challenge, when to make a positional change if someone just isn't on that day...etc. Most importantly is to have the respect of the team, and know how to motivate.

Still, my first choice is definitely O'Shea.

[Ron]

For starters, Too old.

agreed. 42-43 is the optimum age.

[mchesher03]

The more I think about it, the less coaching experience really matters to me. Pinball proved this when he took over as head coach. What you really need is a head coach that can put together a good group of coordinators and assistants, but is really in tune with the game for the all important game day decisions, like when to go for a 3rd down gamble, an appropriate time to challenge, when to make a positional change if someone just isn't on that day...etc. Most importantly is to have the respect of the team, and know how to motivate.

Still, my first choice is definitely O'Shea.

I loved O'Shea as an Argonaut, would love to see him back leading the team as HC. Will it happen, who knows. But my vote would be for O'Shea too.

[cfl-cis fan]

seen many responses for OShea as the man. If he does get the job will he be able to change the assistants. I am sorry for not agreeing with most but the OC has to be changed.

[argolio]

seen many responses for OShea as the man. If he does get the job will he be able to change the assistants. I am sorry for not agreeing with most but the OC has to be changed.

I don't think he'd take the job unless he could choose his own assistants.

[Argo57]

seen many responses for OShea as the man. If he does get the job will he be able to change the assistants. I am sorry for not agreeing with most but the OC has to be changed.

My guess is the majority actually want the OC to be replaced.

[paulwoods13]

I'm pretty confident that most if not all of the assistants would have been on one-year contracts, and that the next HC would not take the job if he had to be saddled with the current staff. He may choose to keep some of them, but it absolutely needs to be his prerogative not to keep anyone he doesn't want.

[AngeloV]

seen many responses for OShea as the man. If he does get the job will he be able to change the assistants. I am sorry for not agreeing with most but the OC has to be changed.

None of the assistants are under contract for next year. With the new coaches cap, I think that will be the norm going forward. I like Ambrosie, but that and the thought of only dressing 2 QB’s next year are not his best decisions.