Scott Milanovich

BY ARASH MADANI
sportsnet.ca

Montreal Alouettes offensive coordinator Scott Milanovich has turned down an offer to be head coach of the Toronto Argonauts, sources tell Sportsnet.

Milanovich was offered the job Friday but apparently he could not come to terms on a deal with the Argos, a franchise with an unsettled ownership picture for the upcoming season.

Ownership questions may also have an impact on the future of Toronto general manager Adam Rita.

Two sources tell Sportsnet Milanovich was only offered a two-year contract at a salary lower than that of the past four Toronto head coaches. The Argonauts are still paying Bart Andrus, who was fired in December after a single 3-15 season as head coach.

Milanovich could not immediately be reached on Saturday.

Many in CFL circles have raised eyebrows at the Milanovich offer because it was expected former Winnipeg head coach Doug Berry and Calgary offensive coordinator George Cortez had been short listed by Rita.

There is a belief Argonauts team president Bob Nicholson is taking a hands-on approach with the coaching search.

Sources tell Sportsnet that Cortez accepted the quarterbacks coach job with the Buffalo Bills on Friday to work under new Bills coach Chan Gailey.

The online edition of the Calgary Herald reported that news first Friday evening.