Jim Barker

Jim Barker – Director, Player Personnel

A familiar face reappeared in December 2025 when it was announced that Jim Barker was joining the Argos for a fourth stint, this time as the director of player personnel.

The Pasadena, California native first joined the Argos in 1997 as the offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator. He would become the team’s head coach in 1999. Barker would be brought back as head coach in 2010 and elevated to general manager for the 2012 season.

He was the CFL’s Coach of the Year in 2010.

Barker orchestrated one of the biggest deals in Argo history on December 12, 2011, when he stunned the CFL world by acquiring quarterback Ricky Ray from Edmonton.

In March 2022 he was hired by the Argos as a senior advisor.

The graduate of USC has won five Grey Cups; 1997, 2012, and 2022 in Toronto, 2002 as Montreal’s offensive coordinator, and in 2008 as Calgary’s vice-president and director of player personnel.

Barker was a member of the CFL on TSN panel in 2021, then returned to that role following his time with the Argos in 2022.

CAREER

2026: Toronto Argonauts, Director, Player Personnel

2022: Toronto Argonauts, Senior Advisor

2020: Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Football Operations Consultant, Offensive and Special Teams Assistant Coach

2019: Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Football Operations Consultant, Offensive Assistant Coach

2011-16: Toronto Argonauts, General Manager

2010-11: Toronto Argonauts, Head Coach

2008-09: Calgary Stampeders, Vice President, Director of Player Personnel

2005-07: Calgary Stampeders, General Manager

2003: Calgary Stampeders, Head Coach

2002: Montreal Alouettes, Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks Coach

2001: Los Angeles Express (XFL), Offensive Coordinator

1999: Toronto Argonauts, Head Coach

1997-98: Toronto Argonauts, Co-Offensive Coordinator, Offensive Line Coach

1996: Montreal Alouettes, Offensive Line Coach

1989-95: Pomona-Pitzer Colleges, Offensive Coordinator

1988: University of Nevada (Reno), Passing Game Coordinator, Receivers Coach

1986-87: San Francisco State University, Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks Coach

1985-87: New Mexico State University, Pass Game Coordinator, Quarterbacks Coach

1982-84: Occidental College, Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks Coach

1978-81: San Francisco State University, Offensive Coordinator, Running Backs Coach