Toronto Argonauts Announce 2010 Coaching Staff

At a media conference today, the Toronto Argonauts Football Club unveiled its 2010 coaching staff. Led by Head Coach Jim Barker, the eight members of the staff feature a combination of CFL experience, coaching experience and youth. With long-time coaching veteran Chip Garber as Defensive Coordinator and the sharp Jaime Elizondo, formerly of the Montreal Alouettes, as Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach, the appointments also see Argos alumni Mike O’Shea and Orlondo Steinauer return to the Double Blue.

Commented Barker, “I am genuinely thrilled I was able to put together this group of coaches who represent a great blend of experience and CFL knowledge, age and youth, veterans and new blood. I believe we will have great synergy and work together effectively in order to bring the fans of Toronto some excitement combined with solid fundamentals. More than anything, these are guys I want to be around and go to war with. We are going to hit the ground running and get ready for the 2010 season.”

Here is a list of the Toronto Argonauts’ assistant coaches for 2010:

Chip Garber, Defensive Coordinator – Garber brings to the job 29 years of coaching experience, including 27 in the collegiate ranks. He has coached in the CFL as a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ staff and spent the 2009 season with the Washington Redskins.

Jaime Elizondo, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach – Elizondo has a decade of coaching under his belt with a decade of proven track record in the CFL, NFL and NCAA. He spent the past three seasons working as a receivers coach and special teams assistant with the New Orleans Saints, Montreal Alouettes and Syracuse University Orangemen.

Mike O’Shea, Special Teams Coordinator – O’Shea is a 16-year CFL veteran and team leader who won three Grey Cup championships in Toronto. Known for his shutdown defence as a middle linebacker, O’Shea was respected throughout the league as a huge threat on special teams.

Cos DeMatteo, Receivers Coach – His legacy as star receiver at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga saw DeMatteo transition to a five year career in the Arena Football League and one season in NFL Europe. He was most recently the Receivers/Passing Game Coordinator at Baylor School in Tennessee and the Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator & Director of Player Personnel for the Tennessee Valley Vipers of the AF2 league.

Stephen McAdoo, Offensive Line Coach – McAdoo is best known around the CFL for his four seasons with the Montreal Alouettes where he served as Offensive Line/Running Backs Coach from 2003-2005 and Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line and Running Backs Coach in 2006. During that span, Montreal played in three Grey Cup championships.

Greg Quick, Linebackers Coach – A 29-year coaching veteran at the NCAA level, Quick is a natural teacher. He’s been offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, head football coach, assistant professor and track coach at a variety of institutions and was most recently the Head Coach, Athletic Director and Vice President for Advancement at Concord University in West Virginia.

Orlondo Steinauer, Defensive Backs Coach – As one of the only players in CFL history to win all-star awards at every position in the secondary, Steinauer is well-prepared to guide that group. He played 13 years in the league, won two Grey Cups and first gained experience coaching defensive backs at his alma mater, Western Washington University.

George Dyer, Defensive Line Coach – George Dyer has been described by colleagues as ‘iconic’. His coaching resume spans five decades and totals 39 years at the professional and college ranks. He’s worked extensively under the famed Mike Shanahan, the indelible Chuck Knox and the legendary Bud Riley with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.