Veteran Benevides joins Redblacks’ sideline crew
On his official first day on the job, new Ottawa Redblacks defensive co-ordinator Mike Benevides got a Twitter account.
Congratulations quickly poured in. Players such as allstar linebacker Solomon Elimimian tweeted things like: “Easily one of the best coach(es) I’ve been around! Redblacks got a good one.”
It was a big day for the Redblacks, who also announced Tuesday they had signed offensive lineman Nolan MacMillan, an original Redblack, to a twoyear contract extension.
“This is what’s in my blood. This is what I’ve done my entire life. It’s what I was made to do: to teach and to coach and be on that sideline,” Benevides said. “As a Canadian kid, I’m privileged to be part of our CFL family. It’s been a blessing for me the entire time. I’m absolutely thrilled, grateful and excited. I wanted to get a hoodie back on. Now I’ll (be wearing) a black and red hoodie.
“I’ve been in this league for a long time, I’ve had various roles … this is my fourth organization. This is what I live to do. I’m blessed to have a family that’s extremely supportive. Mom and Dad are in Toronto, so this brings us back to Ontario. We haven’t been in the East competing before, so it’s a new adventure for us as a family.”
Benevides, a CFL on TSN panelist, was a nice get for the Redblacks and head coach Paul
LaPolice, another CFL on TSN alumnus. The Redblacks interviewed seven people for their head-coaching vacancy earlier this month and now have three of them on staff: LaPolice, Benevides and special teams co-ordinator Bob Dyce.
“I went through the interview process (for the head-coaching job) and it was really good for me because I got to know Marcel (Desjardins, Redblacks general manager), JM (director of player personnel Jean-Marc Edme) and Jeremy (Snyder, assistant GM) really well and get an understanding of the inner workings. Paul and I know each other from competing against each other and have become friends over time.”
LaPolice was happy to get Benevides on board.
“I’ve known Mike for a long time. We’ve kind of grown up in the business together,” LaPolice said. “We’re on the same page on a lot of things. Making sure we had experienced co-ordinators is part of the course in the Canadian Football League. We were excited to get Bob Dyce. He’s going to help me through the process. He knows the building, he knows the players and he’s well-respected. Bringing in Mike, who’s been a head coach and defensive co-ordinator and has been successful, it’s another person who has experience. You want to surround yourself with the best people possible.
“We have (offensive-line coach) Bob Wylie and the two co-ordinators. Now we can slow down, take our time and try to get the best people in the building.”
Benevides started his CFL coaching career as a defensive assistant with the Calgary Stampeders in 2000. He was promoted to special-teams co-ordinator and linebackers coach in 2001, a season capped by the Stamps’ 27-19 Grey Cup win over Winnipeg. He began a four-season stint as Lions defensive co-ordinator and linebackers coach in 2008 and, after winning his third Grey Cup in 2011, was promoted to head coach. In 2012, Benevides guided the Lions to a first-place finish in the West with a 13-5 record. He joined Edmonton in 2016 as assistant head coach and defensive co-ordinator. Now, he aims to help bring the Redblacks back from a horrible 3-15 season.