Ryan Dinwiddie was ‘Plan A’; Redblacks name new head coach and GM

The Ottawa Redblacks are hopeful that their new team leader will make them a constant competitor in the CFL. CTV’s Dylan Dyson has the story.

The Ottawa Redblacks have hired former CFL Coach of the Year Ryan Dinwiddie to be the fourth coach and third general manager of their organization.

A former quarterback in the CFL (Canadian Football League), Dinwiddie had been serving as the head coach for the Toronto Argonauts since 2020. Under Dinwiddie’s tenure, the Argonauts held a 51-35 record, won two Grey Cups and made four straight East Final appearances.

“I’m incredibly excited to join the Ottawa Redblacks as Head Coach and General Manager,” said Dinwiddie.

“This is a proud organization with passionate fans and a strong foundation to build on.”

Dinwiddie was named the CFL’s Coach of the Year in 2023.

From 2013 to 2015, Dinwiddie served as offensive quality control coach for the Montreal Allouettes. From 2016 to 2019, he was quarterbacks coach for the Calgary Stampeders.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ryan Dinwiddie to our organization as Head Coach and General Manager,” said Redblacks president Adrian Sciarra in a press release.

The Redblacks also announced that former general manager Shawn Burke will be staying on as vice president of Football Operations. Burke signed an extension until 2028.

“Ryan is a proven winner, with a track record of developing players and leading successful teams. His vision, leadership and competitiveness make him the right person to partner with Shawn Burke in leading our football club,” Sciarra said.

The Redblacks fired former head coach Bob Dyce in October after failing to qualify for the playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons.

‘Ryan was Plan A’

On Thursday, Dinwiddie was given the chance to address media and fans in Ottawa for the first time at a press conference at TD Place alongside Burke and Redblacks president Adrian Sciarra.

“I got the phone call Monday from my agent who said we got granted permission. I went and bought this suit in about 15 minutes, and I knew this is the job I wanted,” Dinwiddie said.

Sciarra said the two-time Grey Cup winner was the organization’s first choice to lead the team.

“To be clear, Ryan was Plan A,” Sciarra said.

As for now vice president of Football Operations Burke, the decision to pursue Dinwiddie boiled down to a one-word answer.

“Why? Winner,” Burke said.

Dinwiddie says he hopes to turn the franchise that just finished last in the league into a frequent competitor.

“Hopefully be here for a long time and build a consistent winner,” Dinwiddie said.

“We’re in the playoffs each year, fighting for a chance to win a Grey Cup. That’s our expectations. That’s going to be our standard moving forward.”

With files from CTV’s Dylan Dyson.

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