The Toronto Argonauts have interviewed special teams coordinator Mickey Donovan for their vacant head coaching position, according to sources.
The 44-year-old has been with the Argonauts since 2022, helping the team win two Gray Cups in four seasons. Under his tutelage, returners Javon Leake (2023) and Janarion Grant (2024) were named the CFL's Most Outstanding Special Teams Player, and kicker Lirim Khairullahu finished second in 2025, setting an all-time CFL record with 12 field goals beyond 50 yards.
Donovan played three seasons with the Concordia Stingers (2002–04) and was a two-time first-team Canadian midfielder. He also won the President's Trophy in his final collegiate season as the top defensive player in all of U Sports football.
The Laconia, N.H. native turned to coaching after a career-ending knee injury and had stints at New Hampshire, Western and McGill before becoming Concordia's head coach in 2014. He held the position for four seasons before becoming the Montreal Alouettes' special teams coordinator in 2018, a position he held until 2021.
According to sources, about a half-dozen people have been interviewed for the Toronto head coaching position, including several other team employees. On Friday, 3DownNation confirmed reports that Quarterbacks coach Mike Miller and wide receivers coach Pete Costanza interviewed.
The position became available after Ryan Dinwiddie, the team's two-time Gray Cup winning head coach, left for the Ottawa Redblacks to become head coach and general manager.. Toronto ussuccessfully tried to woo Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O'Sheaand also has is reportedly targeting former Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Kent Austin..
The Argonauts finished third in the East Division standings in 2025 with a 5–13 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Kelly was unable to play the entire season due to a broken leg he suffered in the 2024 Eastern Division finals. Nick Arbuckle threw for 4,370 yards, 26 touchdowns and 15 interceptions to be named the team's Most Outstanding Player.
Toronto ranked seventh in net offense, sixth in net defense and seventh in turnover differential of minus-eight. The team's leading rusher was Spencer Brown with 314 yards, the leading receiver was Dejon Brissett with 907 yards, and the leading tackler was Cameron Judge with 79 tackles. The Argos ranked ninth in attendance with an average of 15,109 fans at BMO Field, down 0.1 percent from the previous year.
