With the Toronto Argos set to kickoff their first season and home opener vs. the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Thursday, June 23 at BMO Field, head coach Scott Milanovich announced the team’s coaching staff for the 2016 season Wednesday morning:
Scott Milanovich Head Coach
Marcus Brady Offensive Coordinator
Rich Stubler Defensive Coordinator
Kelly Jeffrey Special Teams Coordinator
Mike Preston Offensive Line Coach
Anthony Ierullo Running Backs
Kit Lathrop Defensive Line Coach
D.J. Wingate Linebackers Coach
Jordan Younger Defensive Backs Coach
Bradley Daye Assistant Special Teams Coach
“I’m extremely excited about the coaching staff that we have assembled,” said Milanovich. “We have several coaches with significant CFL experience as well as some younger coaches that will bring fresh ideas and energy to our staff. I am confident that this staff will do a great job leading our football team in 2016.”
Marcus Brady will enter his fourth season as the Argos Offensive Coordinator. During his time in Toronto, Brady has been part of some of the most prolific offences in CFL as the Argonauts have finished near the top of the League in a number of significant offensive categories during his tenure. Under his watch the Argonauts have produced 11 East Division All-Stars, five CFL All-Stars while also seeing Ricky Ray honoured as the East Division Most Outstanding Player in 2013 and 2014, and Vidal Hazelton named the East Divisions Most Outstanding Rookie last season.
Rich Stubler, who officially returned to the Argonauts for his third tenure with the Double Blue in December, will enter his 29th CFL season as a coach in 2016. The five-time Grey Cup Champion spent the last two seasons with the Calgary Stampeders where he oversaw one of the CFL’s premiere defences.
Kelly Jeffrey joined the Argonauts in February bringing over 20 years of coaching experience in the NCAA and CIS ranks. He has spent 12 years as a head coach, seven years as years a positional coach and several years as an offensive and special teams coordinator. Prior to joining the Double Blue, Jeffrey spent the last seven seasons as the head coach at Mount Allison where he guided the Mounties to back-to-back AUS titles, and was named the AUS Coach of the Year three times and CIS Coach of the Year in 2014.
Mike Preston is back in Toronto for his second CFL season but will assume the role of Offensive Line Coach in 2016 after joining the Double Blue as the Assistant Offensive Line & Special Teams Coach last season.
Anthony Ierullo will remain in his role as the Argonauts Running Back Coach as he enters his fifth season as a member of the Argonauts’ coaching staff, and tenth season with the club. Ierullo joined the Argonauts coaching staff in 2012 after serving as the club’s Video Coordinator and Quality Control Assistant for five seasons.
Kit Lanthrop comes to Toronto in 2016 with over 20 years of football experience as a player and coach. Lathrop will serve as Argonauts Defensive Line Coach, a role he previously held in BC, Edmonton and Ottawa during his career. The longtime coach will be reunited with Argonaut Defensive Coordinator Rich Stubler, who he previously worked with during his time in BC and Calgary.
D.J. Wingate will serve as the Argonauts Linebackers Coach in 2016 after originally joining the club as the Assistant Defensive Backs Coach last season. Wingate played four seasons at Marshall University before joining the school’s coaching staff as a defensive backs assistant. He also worked in various coaching capacities at the University of South Florida and Davidson College.
Jordan Younger returns to the Argonauts staff as the Defensive Backs coach. Younger, who enjoyed a 12-year professional career, eight of which were with the Argos, entered the professional coaching ranks with the club last season. Prior to returning to the Argonauts, the two-time Grey Cup Champion with the Double Blue previously coached at the University of Toronto alongside former Argonauts linebacker, Kevin Eiben.
Bradley Daye will make his professional football coaching debut with the Argonauts in 2016 as the Assistant Special Teams Coach. Daye began his coach career at the alma mater Mount Allison University, where he served as the Mounties Defensive Backs and Assistant Special Teams Coach under Argonaut Special Team Coordinator Kelly Jeffrey for the last three seasons.
The Argonauts will announce their receivers coach at a later date.
Hear from general manager Jim Barker on the upcoming CFL season