February 28, 2017

Everything you need to know: Marc Trestman

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 28: Toronto Argonauts announce hiring of new General Manager Jim Popp and Head Coach Marc Trestman at a press conference on February 28, 2017 at the BMO Field in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Adam Pulicicchio)

CAREER HEADLINES:

  • Fourth all-time highest winning percentage by a Head Coach in the history of the CFL
  • Two-Time Grey Cup Champion
  • 2009 CFL Coach of the Year
  • QBs to have career years under Marc Trestman: Anthony Calvillo, Bernie Kosar, Jake Plummer, Jay Cutler, Rich Gannon. Also worked with quarterbacks Tim Tebow and Jason Campbell, to prepare for NFL Draft.

 

CFL EXPERIENCE:

  • Originally hired in December of 2007 by Jim Popp to be the Head Coach of the Alouettes.
  • In his five years (2008-2012) as HC of the Alouettes, he amassed a 59-31 (.656 winning percentage) regular season record, made the playoffs every year, appeared in three Grey Cups (2008, 2009 and 2010), and won two (2009, 2010).
  • Trestman led the Als to back-to-back championships, the first team to accomplish the feat since the Argos did it in 1996 and 1997.
  • Credited with extending career of future Hall of Fame QB and all-time passing yards leader Anthony Calvillo.
  • Trestman left after the 2012 season to be the Head Coach of the Chicago Bears.

 

CFL ACCOLADES:

  • 2008, 2009, 2010 CFL Coach of the Year Finalist
  • 2009 CFL Coach of the Year (15-3 record, won the Grey Cup)

 

CFL STATS & RECORDS:

All-Time Highest Winning Percentage by a Head Coach (Min. 70 regular season games)

RANK COACH RECORD WINNING %
1 Hugh Campbell 70-21-5 .755
2 John Hufnagel 102-41-1 .712
3 Ralph Sazio 49-20-1 .707
4 Marc Trestman 59-31-0 .656
5 Wally Buono 266-145-3 .646

 

Additional Information:

  • 21st in all-time regular season wins with 59 and that coming in just five seasons.
  • Among the Top 21 coaches in wins, only Hugh Campbell (6 years) and Trestman (5 years) reached that ranking in fewer than eight seasons.
  • Trestman’s percentage of reaching the Grey Cup among all coaches with at least five CFL seasons is tied for #3 all-time: Hugh Campbell 6/6 years (100%), Ralph Sazio 4/5 years (80%), Marc Trestman at 3/5 years (60%, tied with Bud Grant 6/10 years).
  • .600 winning percentage in the playoffs (5 games) and went 2-1 in 3 Grey Cup games.
  • Four first place finishes in five seasons with Montreal.
  • From 2008 to 2012, his Montreal clubs had the second-best winning percentage in the CFL at .656, just back of John Hufnagel’s 59-30-1 .661 mark.
  • One of only four head coaches to record 10+ wins in every season of his career (Campbell, Hufnagel, and Frank Ivy are the others).

 

2008-2012 CFL Offensive Statistical Rankings:

CATEGORY 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Yards/Game 1 1 2 1 4
Points/Game 1 1 2 1 4
Passing Yards/Game 2 1 1 1 2
Fewest Sacks Allowed/Game 1 3 3 2 1

 

NFL/NCAA EXPERIENCE:

NFL/NCAA Head Coaches Trestman Worked Under: Bud Grant, Jon Gruden, Howard Schnellenberger, Jimmy Johnson, Ray Perkins, Marty Schottenheimer, Bud Carson, Jerry Burns, George Seifert, Bobby Ross, Vince Tobin, Dave Wannstedt, Chuck Amato, John Harbaugh.

Notable Coaches Trestman Worked Alongside: Jim Harbaugh (Head Coach, Michigan), David Shaw (Head Coach, Standford), Pete Carroll (Head Coach, Seattle Seahawks), Tom Moore (Long time NFL OC, known for running Colts’ offence with Peyton Manning), Monte Kiffin (Long time, successful defensive coach in NFL). Played quarterback behind Tony Dungy at the University of Minnesota.

 

1975-1978: College Quarterback

Played backup quarterback for the University of Minnesota for three seasons and transferred to Minnesota State for his senior year.

1981-1984: University of Miami (FL) – Volunteer Assistant, Quarterbacks Coach

Began coaching career as a volunteer assistant and was quickly promoted to quarterbacks coach in 1983. Oversaw the development of future Super Bowl champion Bernie Kosar. Helped Hurricanes win first national championship in 1983. Under Trestman’s tutelage, Kosar was selected in first round of NFL Draft.

1985-1986: Minnesota Vikings – Running Backs Coach

Got his first coaching experience in the NFL working under NFL and CFL Hall of Fame coach Bud Grant.

1987: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Quarterbacks Coach

First-time quarterbacks coach in NFL.

1988-1989: Cleveland Browns – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach

Reunited with Kosar and helped the Browns make the playoffs (10–6 record) in 1988. Promoted to offensive coordinator the next year when Kosar passed for 3,533 yards and the Browns reached the AFC championship.

1990-1991: Minnesota Vikings – Quarterbacks Coach

Worked with quarterback Rich Gannon, who improved his QB rating from 68.9 in 1990 to 81.5 the next year.

1992-1994: Out of coaching

1995-1996: San Francisco 49ers – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach

Returned to coaching with Steve Young at the helm of the 49ers offense.  The 1995 team led the NFL in scoring (475) and passing yards (4,779).

1997: Detroit Lions – Quarterbacks Coach

Lions quarterback Scott Mitchell passed for 3,484 yards, which was fourth most in team history.

1998-2000: Arizona Cardinals – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach

In 1998, quarterback Jake Plummer threw for 3,737 yards and the Cardinals made the playoffs for the first time since 1982. Arizona won its first postseason game in 51 years.

2001-2003: Oakland Raiders – Senior Assistant, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach      

When promoted to offensive coordinator in 2002, helped lead the Raiders to Super Bowl XXXVII. Raiders led NFL in total offense (389.8 yards per game) and passing (279.7 per game), and quarterback Rich Gannon won the MVP award.

2004: Miami Dolphins – Assistant Head Coach/Quarterbacks

2005-2006: North Carolina State – Offensive Coordinator

Helped recruit current Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, who began at NC State before going to Wisconsin.

2008-2012: Montreal Alouettes (CFL) – Head Coach

See above.

2013-2014: Chicago Bears – Head Coach

In first year at the helm, the Bears offense set franchise records in net yards (6,109), gross passing yards (4,450), net passing yards (4,281), completion percentage (64.4), passing touchdowns (32), passer rating (96.9) and first downs (344). Finished second in team history with 445 points. But despite the re-birth of the Bears offence, Chicago’s defence allowed the second-most points in the NFL, leading to an 8-8 record.

2015-2016: Baltimore Ravens – Offensive Coordinator

Baltimore was 14th in the league in offense in 2015, averaging 359.3 yards per game, despite key injuries to starting offensive players including quarterback Joe Flacco, wide receiver Steve Smith and running back Justin Forsett.

 

PERSONAL:

Place of Birth: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from University of Minnesota, Law Degree from University of Miami School of Law. He has been a member of the Florida bar since 1983.

Family: Married to Cindy. They have two daughters. Reside in Raleigh, North Carolina. Wife is originally from Cleveland, Ohio.

Notes: Published a book in 2010 – PERSEVERANCE: Life Lessons on Leadership and Teamwork. Proceeds benefit the Marc and Cindy Trestman Foundation for Alzheimer’s research.