By Perry Lefko
SPORTSNET.CA
Calgary Stampeders’ offensive co-ordinator George Cortez has told the Toronto Argonauts he’s not interested in the team’s vacant head coaching job.
Cortez had been considered one of the frontrunners, if not the prime candidate, to become the team’s next head coach because of his success working with quarterbacks, including Henry Burris. Burris just had his best year in 10 seasons in the Canadian Football League in 2008 and was voted the most valuable player in the Grey Cup.
Several sources had indicated last week that Cortez would probably stay put in Calgary, in part because of his long relationship with head coach John Hufnagel, but also because of concern about how much control he would have with the Argos.
The Argos are in need of a head coach after Don Matthews announced he would not return. Matthews was brought in when Rich Stubler was fired eight games into the season.
The Argos have a list of between 15-20 candidates, as Sportsnet.ca reported last week, that includes individuals in the CFL, U.S. college football and the National Football League. On the list are ormer New York Giants head coach Jim Fassel, Buffalo Bulls’ assistant co-ordinator Danny Barrett, Green Bay quarterbacks coach Tom Clements and broadcaster Doug Flutie, retired Argo Damon Allen, Fresno State offensive co-ordinator Doug Nussmeier, Saskatchewan defensive co-ordinator Ritchie Hall, Winnipeg defensive co-ordinator Greg Marshall and retired CFL head coach Dave Ritchie.
Argos general manager Adam Rita has said the team hopes to have a new head coach by Christmas, but that the process may not be completed until February. The contracts of current CFL coaches or assistants expire Jan. 31, although its not uncommon for those deals to be broken for purposes of signing with another team.
The late deadline also gives the Argos a chance to hire someone in the NFL. Many people are speculating the Argos would like to sign Clements, the one-time Ottawa Rough Riders’ quarterback who has had a long history in the NFL as both an offensive co-ordinator and quarterbacks coach.
