Leo the Lip dead at 89,
Team remains ever grateful for former coach’s lasting contributions to the league
He was dubbed Leo The Lip, a colourful character who made one of the boldest statements in CFL history.
Leo Cahill, the master recruiter and long-time head coach/GM of the Toronto Argonauts, died Friday. He was 89.
Cahill served as Toronto’s head coach from 1967-72 and 1977-78. He also was the club’s GM from 1986-88.
Twice under Cahill’s guidance Toronto lost in the Grey Cup (’71, ’87). He also wrote a book titled Goodbye Argos in 1973.
“Leo had a knack for identifying players, a talent for getting the best out of them on the field and a passion for promoting the game he loved,” the Argos said in a statement. “The Argos and Toronto fans will remain forever grateful for Leo’s lasting contributions to our organization and Canadian football as a whole.” CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie also praised Cahill.
“In the long and colourful history of the Canadian Football League, few have left as lasting an impression, or added as much colour, as Leo Cahill,” Ambrosie said in a statement. “He was truly one of a kind.
“His showmanship, however, may have led some to overlook his deep knowledge of the game. He had a keen eye for football talent and an ability to knit diverse and sometimes equally flamboyant personalities into a winning team . . . Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his former players and his many friends and fans.”
Cahill began his CFL coaching career in 1960 as an assistant with the Montreal Alouettes. His tenure there ended in ’64, but Cahill wasn’t out of football long.
In 1965, he became the head coach/ GM of the Toronto Rifles, a semi-pro team in the Continental Football League. Under Cahill, the squad reached the league final — losing 24-7 to Charleston — before making the playoffs in ’66.
The Argos took notice, hiring Cahill as head coach in 1967. Toronto made the playoffs despite a 5-8-1 record before losing to Ottawa.
Cahill solidified his reputation as a master recruiter following the ’70 season when he landed Notre Dame quarterback Joe Theismann, Tampa tailback Leon McQuay as well as Ohio State standouts Tim Anderson, a safety, and defensive lineman Jim Stillwagon.
Toronto finished atop the East Division with a 10-4 record then beat Hamilton 40-25 in the conference final to advance to the Grey Cup.
Once again Cahill made headlines that off-season by signing Michigan State star running back Eric (The Flea) Allen and Tampa offensive lineman Noah Jackson. But Toronto posted a 3-11 record to miss the CFL playoffs, costing Cahill his job.
Cahill returned as Argos coach prior to the ’77 season and quickly showed his flair for the dramatic. Cahill signed Memphis State defensive back Eric Harris, a bona fide firstround NFL pick, while landing Canadians Mark Bragagnolo, a running back, and defensive back Paul Bennett.
Toronto finished third in the East at 6-10 and lost 16-10 to Ottawa in the division semifinal. That off-season, Cahill signed former NFL star tailback Terry Metcalf and the Argos opened the ’78 campaign winning three of their first four games before dropping five straight, resulting in Cahill being fired again.
After serving as a football analyst with CBC, Cahill returned to Toronto as GM in 1986. The club finished first in the East but lost to Hamilton in the conference final.
Toronto went 14-4 in ’88 before losing to eventual Grey Cup-champion Winnipeg in the East final. Cahill was subsequently fired.