Ottawa Redblacks Announced hiring Ryan Dinwiddie as new head coach and general manager on Wednesday, leaving the Toronto Argonauts without a head coach through 2026. With the general manager Mike “Pinball” Clemons reports that the search for a head coach is already underway.it's time to take stock of who the Boatmen might hire to sail their ship as they look to recover from the rough waters they've faced in 2025.
Below are 14 candidates for the Toronto Argonauts head coaching job. They are listed alphabetically by last name.
Byron Archambault
The 35-year-old has an impressive resume for a coach his age, having spent three seasons as special teams coordinator and linebackers coach at his alma mater, the University of Montreal, and five seasons in essentially the same positions with the Alouettes. Archambault also has personnel experience, having served as Montreal's director of player personnel since 2021. If the Argonauts need someone young and versatile to replace Dinwiddie, Archambault might be the best candidate.
Josh Bell
The 40-year-old is in his eighth year as an assistant in the CFL and is currently the passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Corey Mays has had great success early in his CFL coaching career, and Bell is one of his right-hand men, working alongside him on the Calgary Stampeders, Argonauts and Roughriders. The Los Angeles, California native also spent six seasons as a CFL defensive end, earning a Western Division selection in 2015.
Pete Costanza
The 56-year-old won six Gray Cups in 17 seasons as an assistant coach with the Stampeders, Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Argonauts. Costanza has experience as a head coach dating back to his days as a ballpark football player, and his skills as a passing game coordinator should be in demand, especially given the dearth of offensive minds with CFL experience. Whether it's Jake Herslow, Kevin Mythal, DaVaris Daniels or Damonte Coxie, the Blairstown, New Jersey native has helped develop several kick receivers.
Pat DelMonaco
The veteran coach has been an assistant in Calgary since 2014 and his ranking should rise given the team's improvement in 2025. DelMonaco has experience on the offensive line, having coached the position since entering the CFL in 2010, although he has also been Calgary's offensive coordinator since 2021. The Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. native won two Gray Cups with the Stampeders and could be a perfect fit for the Argonauts given the dismal state of their offensive line this season.
Mickey Donovan
The Laconia, New Hampshire native was born south of the border but has played in Canadian soccer and beyond since he was a standout linebacker at Concordia University and won the President's Trophy in 2004. Donovan has seven years of experience in the CFL, including the last four years as special teams coordinator in Toronto. Janarion Grant was named the league's most outstanding special teams player under his leadership in 2024, when Donovan won the second of his two Gray Cup rings.
Kevin Eiben
The 46-year-old played 11 seasons at linebacker for the Argonauts, earning five All-East selections and three All-CFL selections. The Delta, British Columbia native has spent the last eight seasons with Toronto, serving as special teams coordinator, linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator. Eiben is a four-time Gray Cup champion, has coached several stages of the game and is as drenched in double blue as everyone else. He would be ideal for the position of head coach of the team.
Jarius Jackson
The 48-year-old Tupelo, Miss. native helped lead the Edmonton Elks to 2024 after taking over as interim head coach with a 7-6 record. Although he wasn't hired, Jackson was the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' quarterbacks coach this season and appears poised for a promotion. The former NFL draft pick spent nine seasons as a quarterback in the CFL, including one with the Argonauts, and served as Toronto's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2021.
Mike Miller
The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native has served as the Argonauts' defensive backs coach since 2022, helping lead Chad Kelly to MVP honors in 2023 and Nick Arbuckle to brand new career heights in 2025. The 55-year-old spent eight seasons in the NFL, serving two years as the offensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals. Given his experience and how well he worked with the team's defense, it wouldn't be surprising to see Miller getting promoted to head coach after Dinwiddie's departure.
Brent Monson
The Hamilton, Ontario native made the most of his first year as defensive coordinator for his hometown Tiger-Cats as his unit finished first in totals, helping secure first place in the East Division. Monson spent the previous 16 years with the Stampeders, including five seasons as defensive coordinator, helping them win two Gray Cups. After playing for the Burlington Braves of the Canadian Junior Football League and beginning his CFL career as a video assistant, Monson has given back every step of the way.
Mark Mueller
The 36-year-old is in his second season as offensive coordinator with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and has helped Trevor Harris play some of his best football as he approaches 40. The Regina, Sask., native won two Gray Cups with the Stampeders and is the grandson of CFL legend Ron Lancaster, so it always seemed like it was just a matter of time before he got a chance to become a head coach. If the Argonauts want a young forward to lead the team, Muller may be the best choice.
Mike O'Shea
Longtime head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. he has no contract for next season and has strong ties to the Argonauts, having spent 12 seasons as a Hall of Fame linebacker and four years as a special teams coordinator. The six-time Gray Cup champion went 117-77 in 11 seasons in Winnipeg, leading the team to five Gray Cup appearances and two championships. The 55-year-old North Bay, Ont., native is close with Toronto general manager Mike “Pinball” Clemons.
Orlando Steinauer
The Seattle, Washington native spent the last two years as the Tiger-Cats' president of football operations after serving as the team's head coach for four seasons prior. Steinauer went 39-29 as Steeltown's head coach, winning the East Division and CFL Coach of the Year honors in 2019. The 52-year-old is a Canadian Football Hall of Fame defensive tackle who spent eight seasons with the Argonauts before serving three years as the team's defensive backs coach.
Noel Thorpe
The Vancouver, British Columbia native has been an assistant coach in the CFL since 2002 and has served as the defensive coordinator in Montreal for the past four seasons. His lineups are consistently strong, ranking first in yards per game in 2025. The two-time Gray Cup champion deserves a chance to become a CFL head coach at some point, and given his recent success, there couldn't be a better time than now if the Argonauts are looking for someone with a defensive mind.
Jordan Junior
The 47-year-old Trenton, New Jersey native spent the past two seasons as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' defensive coordinator, helping the team finish first in offensive points both years. Younger spent nine seasons as a CFL defensive end, almost exclusively with the Argonauts, and won four Gray Cups — two as a player and two as a coach. Given the success that Buck Pierce had in his first year with the BC Lions, it might be a good idea for Toronto to select the Winnipeg coordinator as their next head coach.
