Last-place season costs Argonauts GM his job
The Toronto Argonauts opened the 2016 season amid high expectations with new ownership, a revamped stadium and the prospect of hosting the Grey Cup at home. They ended the campaign out of the playoffs at bottom of the league, and general manager Jim Barker paid the price on Tuesday.
Toronto looked good early, winning four of its first six regular-season games. But the wheels fell off quickly as the Argos lost 11 of their final 12 contests, including their last seven straight, to finish last in the East Division with a 5-13 record that left them tied with Saskatchewan for the league’s worst mark.
Toronto was especially bad at BMO Field, posting a 2-7 record there while being outscored 283-187.
After spending two months reviewing the club’s football operations, president Michael Copeland felt change was necessary, firing Barker despite the two years left on his contract.
“The last several weeks I’ve been talking to people within the CFL and NFL who are at senior levels and part of championship organizations to understand what separates them from the rest,” Copeland said. “I came away with a very clear vision and confidence that we have the ability to be the very best football organization in the CFL.”
When contacted via text Tuesday, Barker declined to comment.
Toronto was 49-59 under Barker, who began his second stint with the club in 2010 as head coach before adding the GM’s post later that year when Adam Rita’s contract wasn’t renewed. The Argos did win the 100th Grey Cup in 2012, Barker’s first season as the full-time GM, and reached the 2013 East final, but they also missed the playoffs three times.
Barker acquired veteran quarterback Ricky Ray from Edmonton in a blockbuster deal shortly after hiring Scott Milanovich as head coach. The move was huge as Ray was instrumental in Toronto’s 2012 Grey Cup run, guiding the Argos to 35-22 win over Calgary.
Milanovich remains Toronto’s head coach but Copeland said Milanovich’s future will be decided by the new GM.
“Scott is a very good head coach with very good ideas on what we need to do to get better in 2017,” Copeland said. “But ultimately it will be the new GM’s mandate to make sure the coaching situation is what’s going to allow us to win.”