Barker returns to coaching with Argonauts
Written by on February 9th, 2010 in Latest News.
Jim Barker, shown here in October 1999, guided the Argos to a 9-9 record and playoff berth that season. (Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)
Don Matthews failed to duplicate the success from his previous stints with the Toronto Argonauts. Now, it’s Jim Barker’s turn to give it a try.
The Pasadena, Calif., native was named the Canadian Football League’s 42nd head coach on Tuesday, returning to the role he served in 1999 when the Argos had a 9-9 record.
Barker, 53, had joined the club two years earlier as its co-offensive co-ordinator and helped guide Toronto to a Grey Cup victory over Saskatchewan. His only other CFL head coaching job was six years ago in Calgary, where his Stampeders went 5-13.
“Coaching never leaves your blood and for me, this is the right situation, with the right organization and people, to return to the sidelines,” Barker told reporters at a news conference in Toronto. “I plot to make an environment where players and coaches have the support and trust of everyone in the organization which gives you the best chance for success.”
The book on Jim Barker
Age: 53
Hometown: Pasadena, Calif.
Years in CFL: 11
Most recent CFL job: Vice-president football/director of player personnel with Calgary Stampeders
CFL head-coaching record: 14-22 (two seasons)
Previous CFL coaching stops: 2003, head coach, Calgary; 2002, offensive co-ordinator/quarterbacks coach, Montreal; 1999, head coach, Toronto; 1997, co-offensive co-ordinator/offensive line coach, Argonauts; 1996, Alouettes staff.
Education: Earned BA in physical education from University of Southern California.
Grey Cup titles: 3 — Toronto (1997), Montreal (2002) and Calgary (2008).
Personal: Father of four daughters, grandfather of six.
The Stampeders fired Barker after the 2003 season but he returned to Calgary in 2005 as general manager. He held that position for three seasons before the Stampeders reassigned Barker to the position of senior vice-president of football operations and director of player personnel.
“The Calgary Stampeders have been wonderful to me and this is not a choice I made lightly. Professionally, I needed a new challenge … I can’t wait to get started,” Barker said.
He takes over from CFL rookie Bart Andrus, who was fired on Dec. 14 following a dismal 3-15 season and second consecutive missed playoffs. Andrus, who also ran the Argos offence, succeeded Matthews, who went 0-9 in 2008 after replacing the fired Rich Stubler.
Barker, who was let go by incoming owner Sherwood Schwarz after the ’99 season, not only rejoins an Argos outfit with plenty of questions on the field but also one that is reportedly on the verge of an ownership change. Owners David Cynamon and Howard Sokolowski are said to be in serious negotiations with David Braley, who also owns the B.C. Lions.
Also at Tuesday’s news conference, Argos president and chief executive officer Bob Nicholson said Adam Rita will remain Argos GM.
“We have been hard at work behind the scenes getting ready for the 2010 season,” said Rita, whose future with the team has been in question since the end of the 2009 campaign.
Rita noted Barker’s enthusiasm and knowledge of the CFL game are second to none.
“Jim has a leadership style our players will delight in and flourish under,” Rita said. “He is able to motivate players, maximize their abilities and place them in the best positions to make plays and win games.”
Alouettes offensive co-ordinator Scott Milanovich turned down the Argos’ offer 10 days ago, while Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive co-ordinator Greg Marshall, former Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Doug Berry and one-time Stampeders offensive guru George Cortez were believed to be in the running.
Cortez recently accepted the quarterbacks coaching job with the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League.
