HAMILTON — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats completed an unusual coaching shuffle Monday by promoting assistant Orlondo Steinauer to head coach and reassigning June Jones to associate coach and offensive co-ordinator.
"After working closely with Orlondo last season, it was obvious to me that he’s ready to take the next step in his career and become a head coach in the CFL," Jones said. "He’s earned this opportunity and the time was now. I made a decision that in order to put our best foot forward and bring a Grey Cup championship back to Hamilton, we needed to keep him here and expand his role.
"Winning is the most important thing and I’m excited about our great opportunity for success in 2019 with Orlondo returning as head coach."
Jones guided the team to an 8-10 record in the regular season. The Tiger-Cats finished second in the East and reached the division final before falling to Ottawa.
Steinauer becomes the 26th head coach in franchise history. A source told The Canadian Press last week that the B.C. Lions and Toronto Argonauts asked the Ticats for permission to speak to Steinauer regarding their vacant head-coaching positions.
Jones said he recently approached CEO Scott Mitchell with a suggestion to make the changes, adding he also talked to Steinauer about his options.
"I just felt that this was the best opportunity for him to be a Grey Cup champion here faster than anywhere else," Jones said on a conference call.
Steinauer’s return was confirmed by the Tiger-Cats on Friday and the specifics on the coaching changes were revealed by the team Monday morning.
"I want to thank June Jones and the entire Tiger-Cats organization for this opportunity, and believing in me as a man and a football coach," Steinauer said in the news release. "I look forward to building a sustainable model of winning throughout the organization, while in pursuit of winning multiple Grey Cups."
Steinauer was scheduled to appear at a mid-afternoon media availability at Tim Hortons Field. Steinauer, who spent one season as Fresno State’s defensive co-ordinator in 2017, previously spent four years on Hamilton’s staff under head coach Kent Austin.
Steinauer won two Grey Cups over his 13-year CFL playing career. He was named an all-star at three different positions (cornerback, halfback and safety) and his 1,178 interception return yards are the second-most in league history.
He’s been a CFL coach since 2010 when he became the Argonauts’ defensive backs coach before being promoted to defensive co-ordinator in 2011.
Steinauer became the Argos’ defensive backs coach in 2012 before moving to Hamilton to become defensive co-ordinator the following season.
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