Toronto Argonauts Taking Defensive Coordinator By Committee Approach In 2024

[Will]

Kevin Eiben and William Fields to act as co-defensive coordinators for the 2024 season.

https://www.si.com/cfl/fannation/new...proach-in-2024

Unlike the sometimes-bloated staffing in the NFL, where multiple coaches often oversee one position, CFL teams have a more condensed approach when it comes to coaching. Toronto, however, is pretty thin on the defensive staff, even by league standards, with just three coaches on that side of the fence.
Returning to Toronto's defensive staff from 2023 is respected longtime Argonaut Eiben (linebackers) and one of the league's top assistants in Fields (defensive backs). Former Toronto player and CFL lifer Demetrious "D-Max" Maxie will join the two returnees as defensive line coach, returning to the organization for which he starred.

[ArgoZ]

This can’t/wont work. Whoever actually decides what play is sent in behind the white cardboard is the D-Coach. Might even be Dinwiddie. There’s not a lot of time to debate which play is best between the three of them. I foresee a lot of illegal formation, substitution penalties.

[gilthethrill]

I will refrain from comment on this story until it is confirmed by the Toronto Argonauts or an accredited CFL publication or 3 Down Nation.

[Argo57]

I will refrain from comment on this story until it is confirmed by the Toronto Argonauts or an accredited CFL publication or 3 Down Nation.

Don’t hold your breath.

[bluto]

Committees don't work because they can't be sympatico all of the time. Worse, with 3 of them, you could get a situation where 1 is frequently overruled by the other two which creates a division.
The buck has to stop somewhere. There needs to be 1 executive who makes that call.

In a sport as hierarchical as football where leadership and command is ingrained since childhood, they must know this.

[Argo57]

Committees don't work because they can't be sympatico all of the time. Worse, with 3 of them, you could get a situation where 1 is frequently overruled by the other two which creates a division.
The buck has to stop somewhere. There needs to be 1 executive who makes that call.

In a sport as hierarchical as football where leadership and command is ingrained since childhood, they must know this.

It seems they weren’t sold on either Fields or Eiben as the DC.
This is a rather strange strategy especially considering a good chunk of the 2024 D will be new to the Argonauts.
I wouldn’t be shocked if another defensive coach is added.
Your points are quite valid, there needs to be a “point man” who ultimately is responsible for in game play calling and adjustments.
If things stay as they are I’m not convinced it will be successful.

[paulwoods13]

I mentioned this somewhere else, maybe another thread. I wouldn't be surprised if the only way they could hang on to both guys was to give both more responsibility. Rather than promote one and lose the other, they apparently decided on a co-co-ordinator approach. Whether or not it can work remains to be seen, but I'm willing to stay open-minded about it; it wouldn't be the first time that things fans hate in the off-season turn out better than expected.

[OV Argo]

Yeah - maybe Eiben & Fields get along great together and will have no problems as co-DCs; and if there are problems early, one gets promoted to full DC.

[bluto]

Perhaps this is also a ramification of the CFL Football Ops Cap?

[paulwoods13]

Perhaps this is also a ramification of the CFL Football Ops Cap?

It must be a factor. Dinwiddie got an extension last summer, and the club also re-signed Donovan and some other assistants. Chances are some, if not all, of them got a raise. That money has to be found elsewhere. Losing Alex Russell, assuming he's not replaced by someone at same salary, would help financially (albeit likely hurts in terms of player evaluation and recruitment).

[gilthethrill]

Perhaps this is also a ramification of the CFL Football Ops Cap?

Drew Tate was recently added which makes 5 Offensive Coaches with RD doubling as HC and OC. There has to be a couple additions to D Staff eventually.

[primetime31]

Drew Tate was recently added which makes 5 Offensive Coaches with RD doubling as HC and OC. There has to be a couple additions to D Staff eventually.

You wonder if RD will give up some of his play-calling responsibility this year and concentrate more on proper head coaching duties such as calling challenges and player discipline. As for hiring another d-coach, as was said it will likely depend on the football ops salary cap.

[Argo57]

Drew Tate was recently added which makes 5 Offensive Coaches with RD doubling as HC and OC. There has to be a couple additions to D Staff eventually.

That’s how I see it as well.
How close to the football operations cap are they considering they have lost Alex Russell, Edwin Harrison, Josh Bell and Corey Mace?

[Will]

Presuambly it would be firmly hashed out whether Fields and Eiben will have play call duties, and that the one who doesn't will stay out.

[paulwoods13]

That’s how I see it as well.
How close to the football operations cap are they considering they have lost Alex Russell, Edwin Harrison, Josh Bell and Corey Mace?

They also rewarded Dinwiddie with a new (presumably much more expensive) contract. Re-signed Donovan and some other assistants, probably with raises. Might have given Vince Magri a hefty raise -- he deserves one anyway, and IMO is someone many teams on both sides of the border would love to steal. Harrison and Bell were probably not being paid much, possibly Russell as well. We really have no way of knowing how the ftbl ops cap is being managed, but I bet it's not as simple as we saved money by losing guys X, Y and Z so can shower it on guys A, B and C.

[Argo57]

They also rewarded Dinwiddie with a new (presumably much more expensive) contract. Re-signed Donovan and some other assistants, probably with raises. Might have given Vince Magri a hefty raise -- he deserves one anyway, and IMO is someone many teams on both sides of the border would love to steal. Harrison and Bell were probably not being paid much, possibly Russell as well. We really have no way of knowing how the ftbl ops cap is being managed, but I bet it's not as simple as we saved money by losing guys X, Y and Z so can shower it on guys A, B and C.

Never said it was that simple, I’m not convinced the ops cap is at play here.
Wouldn’t be surprised if another coach is added on the defensive side.

[AngeloV]

I’m not convinced the ops cap is at play here.

It can't be at play. I'm sure the Mace extension was for big money, and doubt they have fully replaced that money with the hires or extensions.

[Argo57]

It can't be at play. I'm sure the Mace extension was for big money, and doubt they have fully replaced that money with the hires or extensions.

That’s what I’m thinking as well Angelo.

[gilthethrill]

Jim Barker was interviewed by Rod Pederson on the “Rod Pederson Show” on “You Tube” this week. He confirmed that the Argos will be employing Kevin Eiben and William Fields in a Co Defensive Coordinator role for the 2024 CFL season.

[Argo57]

Jim Barker was interviewed by Rod Pederson on the “Rod Pederson Show” on “You Tube” this week. He confirmed that the Argos will be employing Kevin Eiben and William Fields in a Co Defensive Coordinator role for the 2024 CFL season.

Wouldn’t be my choice to have Co DC’s but let’s see how it works out.