We all love the off-season – a rest period with lots of exciting player transactions, roster revamps, and coaching changes. On the subject of coaching though, could the CFL be getting to much of a good thing with four new head coaches going into 2020? Here, we break down the new Head Coaches of the CFL and how they’ll lead their teams to success next season.
Paul LaPolice – Ottawa REDBLACKS
The addition of former Blue Bombers OC Paul LaPolice will give the Redblacks some much-needed stability and experience in 2020. LaPolice’s offensive formula led Winnipeg to a Grey Cup win in 2019, and he’ll be looking to draw on the skills of Ottawa’s underrated offence in order to bring the Redblacks success next season. LaPolice is definitely the best man for the job – he’s got the experience of success and showed in 2019 that he’s able make things work in any situation against any team. Additionally, he’ll help the team make better offensive playcalls – something Ottawa struggled with last year. With their new HC and returning talent, the Redblacks look like a strong team for 2019, but only time can tell how Paul LaPolice will perform in his first HC position since 2012.
Rick Campbell – BC Lions
After firing DeVone Claybrooks after a disappointing 2019, the BC Lions hired former Ottawa HC Rick Campbell for fill the position. While change is likely a good thing for the struggling Lions, it’s unsure whether Campbell is the man for the job. Sure, he’s led an extremely successful franchise since their conception in 2014; however, he was unable to bounce back after being dealt a bad hand in the 2019 Free Agency. If Campbell is able to bring back the coaching expertise that saw the Redblacks in 4 playoff appearances over 5 years, then the Lions should be set for a comeback in 2020. However, if what BC gets is the 2019 Rick Campbell whose had the worst record in the league, then the Lions might have been better off keeping Claybrooks.
Ryan Dinwiddie – Toronto Argonauts
Former QB coach for Calgary, Ryan Dinwiddie is looking to reverse the fortunes of the Toronto Argonauts, who should have had a much better season than their dismal 4-14 performance in 2019. Dinwiddie brings the experience of mentoring Bo Levi Mitchell, one of the league’s best quarterbacks, and Nick Arbuckle, who had a breakout 2019 and joins a host of talent on the Ottawa Redblacks. As such, the new Argos HC will have all the tools needed to support QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, who will likely start for 2020, but his lack of more general coaching experience may mean that the Toronto defence, receivers and O-line struggle as Dinwiddie fits into his new position.
Scott Milanovich – Edmonton Eskimos
Milanovich has a successful coaching history in the CFL, leading the 2012 Argos to a Grey Cup victory in his first year in the position with a successful 2013 to follow it up. He’s been QB coach in the NFL since 2017, and returns to the Canada to replace Jason Maas as the HC of the Eskimos. While Edmonton was a steady team under Maas, 2019 didn’t work as well for them, and Milanovich looks to bring more stability (and less penalties) to one of the best offences in the league. With all-star talent in Trevor Harris, Greg Ellingson and C.J. Gable, Milanovich is in a good position to continue a successful career, but he needs to reacquaint himself with the league before anything else.
The End Zone 
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