The Toronto Argonauts have turned to a familiar face to lead the team into a new era, officially promoting quarterbacks coach Mike Miller to the role of head coach. The announcement was made on December 2, 2025, at BMO Field, where an emotional Miller was introduced as the 45th head coach in the storied franchise's history.
From Quarterbacks Room to the Top Job
Miller steps into the vacancy created by Ryan Dinwiddie, who departed to assume the dual role of head coach and general manager for the Ottawa Redblacks. Having spent the past four seasons on Dinwiddie's staff in Toronto, Miller's promotion represents a commitment to continuity. His primary success came in developing the team's passers, with Chad Kelly winning the CFL's Most Outstanding Player award in 2023 under his guidance.
General manager Michael "Pinball" Clemons highlighted the consistent performance of Miller's quarterbacks as a decisive factor. "All of his quarterbacks had their best years under his supervision," Clemons stated, noting that Nick Arbuckle set a career-high in passing yards in 2025 and McLeod Bethel-Thompson led the league in passing during the 2022 season.
The Coaching Search That Looked Inward
The Argonauts' initial search focused on high-profile external candidates. The team first pursued former Argos Mike O'Shea, the long-tenured Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach, and Orlondo Steinauer, president of football operations for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Both opted to remain with their current organizations.
Reports of interest in Saskatchewan Roughriders coach Corey Mace were firmly denied by the 'Riders, with Mace himself expressing no interest in the Toronto position. With top targets unavailable, Clemons and the Argos brass shifted their focus internally. The final candidate pool included Miller, linebackers coach Kevin Eiben, receivers coach Peter Costanza, defensive backs coach Jason Shivers, and former CFL head coach Kent Austin.
Miller's Vision for the Argos
While new to a CFL head coaching role, Miller brings nearly three decades of football experience. His career began under Bill Cowher with the Pittsburgh Steelers and includes stops with the Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals, and the Montreal Alouettes. At his introductory press conference, Miller outlined his philosophy for the team.
He plans to serve as both head coach and offensive play-caller. Miller emphasized building a team identity rooted in football intelligence, disciplined execution, and, above all, physicality. He believes the current Argonauts roster already possesses a strong foundation of these traits. Discussions to finalize the remainder of his coaching staff are underway, with announcements expected in the coming days.
The promotion marks a significant step for Miller and a clear vote of confidence from the Argonauts' management, who are betting that the coach who developed their most valuable players can now successfully steer the entire ship.
