Sep 9, 2008 - 12:42 PM
0 shoutsMISSISSAUGA, Ontario (Ticker) -- The Toronto Argonauts on Tuesday fired coach Rich Stubler and replaced him with Don Matthews, the most decorated coach in Canadian Football League history.
Named coach of the Argos in December 2007, Stubler lasted just 10 games with the club, posting four wins this year.
Matthews holds the league coaching records for wins (231), seasons (21), playoff seasons (18), Grey Cup appearances (9) and is tied for the lead in Grey Cup wins with five. The 69-year-old also is the only coach in CFL history to win the Grey Cup in four different decades.
"The ship was heading in the wrong direction and we felt we had to bring in a new captain to put us in the best position to win each week, prepare us for the playoffs and build toward the Grey Cup," Toronto general manager of football operations Adam Rita said. "We wanted to bring Toronto fans the best and we believe the best is Don Matthews."
Matthews previously coached Toronto in 1990 and from 1996-98, winning Grey Cups with the team in 1996 and 1997 with veteran quarterback Doug Flutie directing the offense. He also has coached the B.C. Lions, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Baltimore Stallions, Edmonton Eskimos and Montreal Alouettes.
"Today I say good-bye to a champion, a mentor and a friend," said Toronto CEO Michael "Pinball" Clemons, who had coached the team last year before assuming his new role with the club. "Rich was my right hand man for six seasons and his unbridled passion and unparalleled commitment to greatness is a big part of our rejuvenated prowess in the new millennium.
"This is a very difficult day. ... It is with great sincerity we wish Rich all the best in his future endeavors."
Stubler, who was an assistant coach with the club for five years before taking the reins, apparently began to fall out of favor with the club as a result of a quarterback controversy involving offseason acquisition Kerry Joseph and incumbent Michael Bishop.
His decision to have the quarterbacks split time, reportedly dividing the locker room, with some players supporting Bishop and others in favor of Joseph, the league's Most Outstanding player in 2007.
The issue apparently was resolved last week when Toronto traded Bishop to Saskatchewan, but the Argos' embarrassing 45-19 loss to Montreal over the weekend likely provided the final nail in Stubler's coffin.
"First of all, I appreciate the difficulty which my arrival has caused and want to acknowledge that," Matthews said. "Being reunited with all my friends at the Argos excites me. We have had a lot of success together. The big picture was always on my mind - it is imperative that Toronto have a strong franchise on the field. I have had success here in the past and it is my intention to help do it again."
