Chamblin takes over from Trestman in T.O.
TORONTO Barely a year after the Toronto Argonauts’ defence clinched them a thrilling Grey Cup victory, the team has brought back the defensive specialist responsible.
Corey Chamblin was named head coach of the Argos on Monday, returning to the team he helped guide to a Grey Cup victory in 2017 as defensive co-ordinator.
“When Jim (Popp, Argos general manager) reached out to me, I had been here before, and there were some mixed feelings because I do value the leadership that had been here before me,” Chamblin said. “But like everything else in this business, transition happens, and it’s a new opportunity, a new season and it’s time for us to move forward.”
Toronto’s defence had six East Division all-stars and was tied for the league in sacks (50) when Chamblin was defensive co-ordinator. And on that memorable Grey Cup evening in Ottawa, Cassius Vaughn ran back a fumble recovery 110 yards for a touchdown at a snowy TD Place stadium, then Matt Black intercepted Bo Levi Mitchell in the end zone with eight seconds remaining in Toronto’s stunning 27-24 win over Calgary.
But it’s been downhill ever since, ultimately costing head coach Marc Trestman his job. And now, the 41-year-old Chamblin, who will also be the team’s defensive co-ordinator, is tasked with turning around a team that lost nine of its last 10 games while going 4-14 this past season, and was held winless on the road (0-9).
Black, a nine-year Argos veteran, believes Chamblin is the right man for the job.
“If I had the decision to make, I would have made the exact same choice,” said the defensive back. “The guys who were here in 2017 really enjoyed Cham’s leadership style, he’s a very serious and focused coach, but you have a lot of fun in his system. But when it’s time to work, everybody buckles down and is on the same page. And to be in that environment, it’s contagious.
“The thing with Cham is he’s well-liked in the room, well-respected, he has a rapport with a lot of players,” added Black, who said he figured Chamblin had got the job when he saw him sitting courtside at a recent Toronto Raptors game. “I’m really happy for him, excited for him, he earned this opportunity, he deserved it, and I think the franchise is in good hands under his leadership.”
Chamblin, a 41-year-old from Birmingham, Ala., was head coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders between 2012-15, guiding the Riders to a Grey Cup in 2013 and earning CFL coach of the year.
He spent this past season at the University of Arkansas as a quality control and defensive backs coach.
The Argos interviewed six candidates for the job, Popp said. Chamblin was first in line because he wasn’t tied to a CFL team, so the club could begin the interview process immediately.
Chamblin said a “perfect storm” led him back to Toronto.
“Each season has been something different that I’ve been able to learn . . . all those things were positive for me to get to this day now to where now I’m the head coach and the defensive coordinator of the Toronto Argonauts,” he said. “It’s just about growth and learning how to build a better boat, going through each situation, learning from those successes, learn from those things that were not as successful, and finding a way to have as much success as we can on a day to day basis.”
Popp, who welcomed Chamblin as the 44th head coach in team history on Monday with a firm handshake, said they’ll collaborate on personnel decisions.
One of their biggest personnel decisions will be the team’s starting quarterback. McLeod Bethel-Thompson and James Franklin split time under centre after Ricky Ray’s season — and career as an Argo — ended with neck injury in late June.
There could be a number of star quarterbacks including Mike Reilly, Trevor Harris and Bo Levi Mitchell available when free agency opens on Feb. 12.
Chamblin has to hire his coaching staff as well.