In fact, the early reports out of Toronto had it that the Argonauts were eyeing a well known CFL name for an assistants job, the task of finding a head coach still seemingly off to the future.
But with the Grey Cup glow finally dimming on the west coast, the Argoanuts grabbed some headlines from the BC Lions with the announcement that Scott Milanovich, most recently the offensive co-ordinator and assistant head coach of the Montreal Alouettes was trading in le rouge, blanc get bleu, for some double blue.
With the announcement, Jim Barker moves back to his General Manager's duties, leaving behind the ever present head aches of the day to day on field direction, though with the task of bringing the Argos back to CFL relevance will continue on, with an emphasis on finding the quality players required to turn around the Argos dismal past year.The hiring of Milanovich is no doubt a good start to that goal, his record in Montreal speaks for itself, one of the most dominant of CFL offences for much of the past decade, it was only this year where the Als began to struggle, an inevitably when age catches up to roster positions.
Still, from an offensive point of view, the Argo challenge will be large, there's no Anthony Calvillo on the depth chart, some might even suggest that there's no Adrian MacPherson, who perhaps as an understudy to Calvillo has yet to come into his own in the CFL.
Whether Steven Jyles is the QB for Milanovich to set his future roster with remains to be seen, one tempting option could be for the Argos to acquire Henry Burris, seemingly on his way out in Calgary, though discussions with the Stamps could be a tad frosty for Barker going forward.
The Stamps were just a little bit outraged to learn of discussions between the Argos and their defensive coordinator over the last few weeks, discussions which led to Chris Jones leaving the Stamps bound for Toronto, a move which saw the Argos fined this week by the CFL for tampering.
And while we can sympathize with the Stamps on the poaching, we imagine it's indicative of the Argos newfound dedication to improve all aspects of their play from this past season, piracy if you will but considering the new head coach made his mark in the NFL as a back up quarterback with Tony Dungy's Tampa Bay Bucaneers, a little bit of swashbuckling probably can't hurt the cause.
Perhaps the Argos can incorporate an eye patch into their logo, just to set the new tone of business.
The moves out of Toronto this week should prove positive in the long run, knowledgeable football men taking on the key positions, bringing with them experience and connections (a training camp visit and motivational speech by Dungy would certainly bring some focus to the Argos in 2012) that makes for a helpful combination for a team that seemed adrift for most of 2011.
The captain has the off season to chart his new course, one that the Argos hope will include a home date the last weekend of November.
Globe and Mail-- Milanovich agrees on deal to be new Argos head coach: report
Globe and Mail-- CFL fines Argonauts $5,000 for tampering
Globe and Mail-- Argps add Calgary defensive co-ordinator Chris Jones to staff
Globe and Mail-- Hufnagel blind-sided by co-ordinator's move to Argos
Globe and Mail-- Argos could benefit from Milanovich as coach
National Post-- Argos fined for tampering after contact with ex-Stampeders co-ordinator
National Post-- Argos keep focus on the field
National Post-- Stampeders file grievance in Argos reported hiring
National Post-- Argos hire Scott Milanovich as head coach
Toronto Star-- Scott Milanovich takes over Argo coaching reins
Toronto Star-- Argo coaching soap opera hits new heights
Toronto Star-- Argo head coaching mystery continues
Toronto Sun-- Argos can't get QB wrong
Toronto Sun-- Argos get the coaching thing right
Toronto Sun-- Milanovich to choose own staff
Toronto Sun-- Dungy gives Argo coach thumbs up
Toronto Sun-- Barker scrapes coach off his plate
Toronto Sun-- Stamps confirm Jones T. O. move
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