June 14, 2017

Argos mourn the passing of Don Matthews

The Toronto Argonauts are mourning the passing of former head coach Don Matthews who passed away this morning at the age of 77.

Matthews was first hired as the Argonauts’ head coach in 1990 and then returned from 1996-1998 and then again in 2008 for eight games. Inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame as a builder in 2011, Matthews led the Argos to back-to-back Grey Cup Championships in 1996 and 1997. His career record as head coach of the Argos was 49-31.

YEAR RECORD
1990 10-8
1996 15-3
1997 15-3
1998 9-9
2008 0-8

Matthews’ 22 seasons, 365 regular season games coached and 231 career wins are second to just Wally Buono in CFL history. Matthews and Buono are the only CFL coaches to record over 200 career wins and multiple seasons with 15 wins or more. 

“We are so saddened by the passing of our legendary coach Don Matthews,” said Michael Copeland, President and CEO of the Argos. “Twenty years ago, Don led the Argos to back-to-back Grey Cup championships. We were hopeful he could join us later this year when we honour those Grey Cup teams. But on that day, and every day thereafter, he will always be in our hearts. On behalf of our entire organization and our fans, we send our deepest condolences to the Matthews family, and his many friends and fans across the country. We mourn his passing, but we celebrate his life. We will be forever grateful for the memories he has given us.”

“Coach was a true friend,” said Jim Popp, General Manager of the Argos, who first crossed paths with Matthews with the Baltimore Stallions in 1994, where they first teamed up to win the Grey Cup in 1995, before replicating that feat in 2002 in Montreal. “We loved each other and we believed in each other. In my 26 years in the CFL, Don gave more creative thoughts and thinking to this great game than most of us combined. Most did not know the humanitarian he was and the many he sincerely reached out to help. For those who were fortunate to know him well and to work with him will tell you he was a tremendous teacher on and off the field. We have lost a legend and one of a kind. He will be truly missed but never forgotten. Other than the tears of sorrow, only a smile on my face and great memories will be associated with ‘The Legend’, Coach Don Matthews.”