Toronto Argonauts finalize 2025 coaching staff with two new hires

The Toronto Argonauts finalized their coaching staff for the 2025 season on Friday. Joining the coaching staff this year is Jason Shivers as the new co-defensive coordinator, defensive backs, and pro player personnel assistant, and Greg Marshall as the new defensive line coach.

Jason Shivers is 42 years old and is from Phoenix, Arizona. He spent last season in various roles with the Edmonton Elks as the assistant coach, defensive coordinator, and linebackers coach. In 2024, Edmonton allowed 26.3 points per game, 394.6 net offense per game, 96.1 rushing yards per game, 313.4 passing yards per game, and 29 sacks finishing 7-11 for the season.

Shivers made his CFL coaching debut in 2013 as a defensive assistant for the Toronto Argonauts. Next, he spent two seasons as Edmonton’s defensive backs coach (2014-15) helping them win the 2015 Grey Cup over the Ottawa Redblacks.

Then, he was named the defensive coordinator for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2019. He spent four seasons in Saskatchewan. In 2023, Saskatchewan’s defense ranked ninth in several categories including points allowed (28.3), offensive touchdowns allowed (51), net offense allowed (381.3), and sacks (37). They also ranked eighth in takeaways (29) and tied sixth with the B.C. Lions in interceptions (15).

As a player, Shivers played five seasons with the Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats with 174 tackles, 19 tackles on special teams, five fumble recoveries, and six interceptions for 57 yards in 57 games, of which 47 were starts. Shivers was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the fifth round (158^th pick) of the 2004 NFL Draft. He also spent time with the Chicago Bears, New York Giants, and the Hamburg Sea Devils.

Greg Marshall is 68 years old and is from Beverly, Massachusetts. He was the Ottawa Redblacks defensive line coach in 2024. In 2024, Ottawa’s defense allowed 27.1 points per game, 370.1 net offense per game, 95.9 rushing yards per game, 288.9 passing yards per game, and 40 sacks finishing 9-8-1 making it to the Eastern Semi-Final.

Marshall began his coaching career in 1990 as the head coach for the Ottawa Bootleggers of the Empire Football League. Then, he served as head coach for the Ottawa Sooners of the Canadian Junior Football League for three seasons.

Marshall is no stranger to the CFL having spent 20 years in coaching. He began his coaching career in 1994 as defensive line coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders before adding the defensive coordinator title in 1996. He spent six seasons in Saskatchewan before taking the same positions this time for the Edmonton Eskimos from 2000-04.

In 2005, he returned to Ottawa as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for the Ottawa Renegades. After the Renegades suspended operations, Marshall went to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as their defensive line coach and defensive co-coordinator from 2006-08.

Next, he went to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2009, working as an assistant head coach, defensive coordinator, and linebackers coach until 2010. In 2011, Marshall was named the head coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. However, the Roughriders went 1-7 before he was fired on August 19, 2011. His final season as a coach in the CFL was in 2013 with the Edmonton Eskimos as a defensive coordinator.

Then, Marshall was the head coach at the University of Toronto from 2018 to 2023 compiling a record of 11-27 and an 0-2 playoff record. In 2021, he led the Varsity Blues to their first playoff appearance since 1995. In addition, Marshall spent three seasons as a defensive coordinator for Queen’s University from 2014-17. At Queen’s, his defense led the OUA Conference in 2014 with 16 fumble recoveries.

As a player, Marshall was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round (186^th pick) of the 1978 NFL Draft. He played two seasons with both the Eagles and the Baltimore Colts. Then, Marshall played for the Ottawa Rough Riders from 1980 until 1988. During his time in Ottawa, Marshall made 71 sacks, 12 fumble recoveries, and one touchdown in 120 games.

He was named a four-time CFL East All-Star, a two-time CFL All-Star, and was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award in 1983. He was inducted into the RNation Legacy Wall at TD Place in 2023.

2025 Toronto Argonauts Coaching Staff