The Toronto Argonauts and Head Coach Ryan Dinwiddie agreed to a multi-year contract extension on Tuesday. Ryan Dinwiddie’s current contract was set to expire at the end of the season.
“I am beyond thrilled to sign an extension to stay in Toronto and to continue building a winning culture here in the city,” said Dinwiddie. “My family loves it here, the organization and fans have been so accommodating and supporting of us. We are building something special here and I want to thank the Argonauts organization for giving me this opportunity.”
The 42-year-old from Elk Grove, California, has the Argonauts off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 1991. Dinwiddie has received back-to-back Coach of the Year nominations from the East Division. Since he arrived in 2019, he has guided Toronto to a 23-12 record in three seasons.
In 2022, Toronto won the East Division with an 11-7 record. They beat the Montreal Alouettes in the East Semi-Final before upsetting the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 109th Grey Cup in Regina, Saskatchewan, by the final score of 24-23. It was Toronto’s 18th Grey Cup title in franchise history.
Before Toronto, Dinwiddie was an offensive quality control coach for the Montreal Alouettes from 2013-15. Then, he became the Calgary Stampeders quarterback coach for three seasons (2016-18). In 2018, the Stampeders won the 106th Grey Cup in Edmonton.
“While some say coaches are hired to be fired, in this case our hire brought fire,” said Toronto GM Michael “Pinball” Clemons. “We needed someone to not only be good with the X’s and O’s but to be able to lead a group of men each and every day. He has far exceeded our lofty expectations.”
As a player, Dinwiddie signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He spent two seasons on Chicago’s practice squad.
In 2005, he played for the Hamburg Sea Devils (NFLE) completing 73 of 155 passes (47.1%) for 934 yards, five touchdowns, seven interceptions, and six carries for 11 yards in ten games. The Sea Devils finished with a 5-5 record.
In 2006, Dinwiddie signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He played three seasons as a backup completing 121 of 207 passes (58.5%) for 1,581 yards, six touchdowns, nine interceptions, 23 carries for 112 yards, and one touchdown.
Then, he signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2010. He completed 62 of 123 passes (50.4%) for 950 yards, five touchdowns, five interceptions, and 13 carries for 65 yards in two seasons in Saskatchewan. He retired following the 2011 season before starting his coaching career.
Collegiately, Dinwiddie played four seasons at Boise State (2000-03) completing 622 of 992 passes (62.7%) for 9,819 yards, 82 touchdowns, 21 interceptions, 197 carries for 105 yards, and 18 touchdowns in 42 games for the Broncos. He led the Broncos to win the Forth Worth Bowl in 2003 and was named MVP.
Dinwiddie’s record NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) for career passing efficiency (168.9) record was broken by the late Colt Brennan in 2007. He is regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in Boise State history.
