Playoff elimination sparks talk of potential big changes for Argos
As losses pile up, rumours swirl of appointing Pinball Clemons as team president
It's been a monumental fall from grace for the Toronto Argonauts.
Former head coach Marc Trestman, who led Toronto to its '17 title, paid the ultimate price for last year's dismal 4-14 record. He was fired mere hours after a season-ending loss in Ottawa.
At the time, president Bill Manning opted to retain general manager Jim Popp, saying, "I had to make a decision on who I wanted moving this football operation forward and I decided Jim was the right guy to do that."
Popp hired Corey Chamblin, Toronto's defensive co-ordinator in '17, to replace Trestman. But the coaching change hasn't translated into more wins as the Argos opened the season 0-6 and are 2-6 in their last eight contests.
WATCH | Argos eliminated from playoff contention after loss to Lions:
And often they've looked bad doing so. There was a season-opening 64-14 home loss to Hamilton on June 22 and a 26-0 road defeat in Edmonton on July 25, the Argos' first shutout defeat since '09.
Then on Saturday, Mike Reilly threw five TD passes and B.C.'s offence held the ball for over 43 minutes en route to the Lions' fourth straight win. Toronto had just 167 offensive yards and needed McLeod Bethel-Thompson's 27-yard TD strike to Armanti Edwards with 22 seconds remaining — the two also combined for the two-point convert — to avoid yet another shutout loss.
Front-office changes in Toronto appear inevitable.
Popp is in the final year of his contract and the expectation is he won't be retained. And although Chamblin signed a multi-year deal, the harsh reality is the Argos haven't done nearly enough to warrant Chamblin remaining on the sidelines.
Defensive shortcomings
In 2017, it was Chamblin's defence that clinched the Argos' 27-24 Grey Cup win over Calgary. But presently Toronto stands last in several CFL defensive categories, including offensive points (32.9 per game), offensive TDs (50), yards allowed (433.2) and opposition completion average (73.9 per cent).
There's been persistent talk in CFL circles lately of Toronto appointing former star player/head coach Mike (Pinball) Clemons as president.
Manning has that title currently but also holds the same post with Toronto FC of Major League Soccer. Manning enlisted Clemons' help last month and the affable native of Dunedin, Fla., has long been seen as the face of the Argos franchise and someone people can rally around.
Neither Manning nor Clemons have accepted interview requests.
Trio of names linked to Argos
Clemons has helped Toronto win Grey Cups as a player and coach but has no experience as a GM. That role would reportedly be assumed by Eric Tillman, a CFL champion with B.C. (1994), the Argos (1997) and Saskatchewan (2007).
Tillman most recently served as GM of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2016-18). His clubs have appeared in six Grey Cups over 17 CFL seasons.
Ironically, the most intriguing name considered a candidate to be Toronto's new head coach is Khari Jones. Despite his success in Montreal, the interim tag remains. The Alouettes remain without an owner as the league continues its search.
What's more, Clemons, Tillman and Jones are all represented by the same agent — Gil Scott.
Stay tuned.