Argos Milanovich Named Coach of the Year

Scott Milanovich, head coach of the 2012 Grey Cup-champion Toronto Argonauts was named the Canadian Football League (CFL) coach of the year on Thursday.  Milanovich received the Annis Stukus trophy at a luncheon in Regina, beating out the other finalists John Hufnagel of the Calgary Stampeders and Mike Benevides of the B.C. Lions.

The award is voted on by 45 members of the Football Reporters of Canada.  This marks the seventh time an Argos coach has won the award, Milanovich joins Leo Cahill(1971), Bob O’Billovich (1982, 1987), Adam Rita (1991),Don Matthews (1997), and current Argos general manager Jim Barker (2010).

“On behalf of the entire league, congratulations on a remarkable year,” CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon said. “For a coach to do what Scott did in his first season as head coach is simply amazing.”

Milanovich left his post as offensive coordinator in Montreal and took over an Argonauts team that finished  6-12 and out of the playoffs in 2011.  The rookie head coach helped improved the clubs regular season record to  9-9 , good enough for second place in the East Division and the franchises first home playoff game since 2007.

With  playoff victories at home against the Edmonton Eskimos and on the road against the Montreal Alouettes, Milanovich’s Argonauts secured a birth in the 100th Grey Cup at their home Rogers Centre.

The Argos completed their surprising post-season  “coming out of the shadows” they “had been hiding in all season” with a 35-22 victory over the heavily favoured Calgary Stampeders to capture the franchises’ 16th Grey Cup and first since 2004.

“In a year that we celebrated many of our great players and coaches of our storied past, the 2012 season showcased the exciting players and coaches of our bright future,” remarked Cohon. “Scott is certainly a part of that group and we look forward to seeing him on the sidelines for many years to come.”