Argo coaches have black and gold glow
The new Double Blue coaching staff has a decidedly black and gold tinge.
Former Hamilton offensive co-ordinator Tommy Condell will fill that role for the Toronto Argonauts in 2018 after managing the receivers under head coach Marc Trestman last season. Kevin Eiben, the longtime Argo who finished his playing career with the Ticats and worked in the team’s front office before moving into coaching, will serve as special teams co-ordinator in Toronto for the second straight year.
But the biggest addition to the Argonauts’ staff is undoubtedly Anthony Calvillo: pro football’s all-time passing leader will be quarterback coach in 2018.
Calvillo spent the last three seasons with the Montreal Alouettes as their receivers coach, offensive co-ordinator and quarterback coach. The move reunites him with Marc Trestman, for whom he played five seasons between 2008 and 2012, winning two Grey Cups.
Before going on to tremendous success with the Alouettes, Calvillo also spent three seasons in Hamilton where he started 22 games, culminating in a 2-16 campaign in 1997.
There were a couple of other moves on the Toronto staff. Linebackers coach Mike Archer takes over as defensive co-ordinator from Corey Chamblin, another former Ticat, while Tyron Brackenridge handles defensive backs after splitting the job with Chamblin last year.
Greg Quick begins his second stint as Toronto’s linebackers coach, holding that post previously from 2010 to 2011.
The remainder of Trestman’s staff includes Josh Moore (running backs); Jonathan Himebauch (offensive line); Justin Poindexter (offensive quality control); Kerry Locklin (defensive line); Gavin Lake (defensive quality control); Wendell Avery (special-teams assistant); and J. Aggabao (strength and conditioning).
— With files from The Canadian Press.
•••
The CFL is making its football more like the one used in the NFL.
The league announced changes on Monday that will see the CFL retain its traditional stripes but move to a leather similar to the one used in the NFL while also changing the size specifications for official manufacturer Wilson.
“The new ball is virtually identical, to the eye, to the old one. It has the same laces and markings including our stripes.
But it is made of a slightly harder leather,” said Ryan Janzen, senior director of football operations for the CFL.
Each team had samples of the new footballs throughout 2017 — distributed in April and kept highly secretive. Sources say the move makes the balls easier to throw and catch, which should improve scoring.