The Toronto Argonauts have reportedly landed on a prominent name in their search for a new head coach.
The Argos have been granted permission from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to interview Mike O'Shea, 3DownNation's Justin Dunk reports.
O’Shea, 55, has been the coach of the Blue Bombers for 11 seasons, compiling a 117-77 record during the regular season. He has set the mark for most wins by a head coach in franchise history and the seventh-highest total in CFL history, but he also has two Grey Cup championships in five appearances.
The North Bay, Ont., native has deep connections to the Argos, where he played 12 CFL seasons as a linebacker and later spent four years as the special teams coordinator.
He also has ties to current general manager Mike "Pinball" Clemons, as both were teammates in Toronto and won multiple Grey Cups together.
The Argos have been looking for a replacement after Ryan Dinwiddie left the team to join the Ottawa Redblacks as their head coach and general manager. It marked the end of a tenure for Dinwiddie that saw him win two Grey Cups in five seasons with the Argos.
According to Dunk, O’Shea’s contract with the Blue Bombers runs through Dec. 31, 2025, though discussions about an extension were expected to happen following Winnipeg’s loss to the Montreal Alouettes in the East semifinal.
