Next Game
@
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts Football Club would like to congratulate GM & Head Coach Jim Barker on being named one of three finalists for 2010 CFL Coach of the Year award. Barker becomes the first Argos coach to be named a finalist for this award since Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons was nominated in six consecutive seasons from 2002-07.
Commented Barker, “It’s truly humbling to be a finalist for Coach of the Year, especially when you look at the other coaches who are currently coaching in our league. It’s a tribute to a tremendous front office, fantastic coaching staff and great players. The most important thing I believe that I can do as a coach is get the right people on board and then get everyone to pull in the same direction. In 2010, we took a brand new set of coaches and a brand new set of players and they all bought in to the philosophy we put forward. I couldn’t be prouder of everyone and this nomination acknowledges our collective work.”
In his return to Toronto as Head Coach, Barker transformed a team that had won seven games in two years and led them back to the playoffs with 10 wins, including a berth in the 2010 Eastern Division Final. Barker and his staff reintroduced exciting football to the city of Toronto and made 2010 a year full of optimism and growth. He cultivated the talents of all-stars like Cory Boyd and Chad Owens, and introduced veteran leadership by bringing in WR Jeremaine Copeland. He returned discipline to the locker room and the Argos finished as the least penalized team in the league last year. By season’s end, his roster boasted eight first-year starters along with seven division all-stars and four CFL all-stars. Following his successful season, Barker was promoted to General Manager & Head Coach.
The 2010 Coach of the Year nominees were selected by 53 voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada. Barker is up against Montreal’s Marc Trestman and Saskatchewan’s Ken Miller for the 2010 CFL Coach of the Year award. The winner will be announced at a special luncheon on Friday, February 25 at the Fairmont Waterfront Vancouver.