Argos could benefit from Milanovich as coach

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Bryan Chiu says if Scott Milanovich does become head coach of the Toronto Argonauts, the Boatmen would have a detail-oriented leader who understands a player's perspective and will quickly command their respect.

Chiu, a Grey Cup winning centre who retired from the Montreal Alouettes last season, says Milanovich is very thorough and continually wins over veteran players in his role as the Als' offensive co-ordinator and quarterbacks coach. Those are qualities Chiu thinks would serve the Argos well if they hire Milanovich to lead the turnaround of a Toronto club that went 6-12 in 2011.

The Argos confirmed that they met with Milanovich after getting permission from the Alouettes, but said nothing official has come from the meeting. A TSN report on Sunday said they already have a verbal agreement.

Chiu recalls Milanovich sitting in on pass protection meetings and getting very involved in details about how the linemen did their jobs.

"The offensive linemen really appreciated that the co-ordinator would spend so much time with us," said Chiu, now an offensive co-ordinator at Concordia University. "He took great pride in every position and understood deeply what we were trying to do."

Milanovich has been with Montreal since 2007 and the team's co-ordinator for the past four seasons. He coaches the quarterbacks and contributes to the offensive game-plans, usually concentrating on the run plays, Chiu said. But it is head coach Marc Trestman calling the plays during games.

With quarterback Anthony Calvillo at the helm, the Als offence has been a high-scoring group in recent seasons. Toronto's offence scored just 397 points in 2011, the second lowest in the CFL.

"It's no secret that there would not be no Anthony Calvillo in Toronto, but I'm sure Scott would weigh that heavily and think about what he's getting himself into," said Chui. "I think he would have to be more demanding in that situation, but there's no doubt he has learned a lot from Marc Trestman about conducting himself as a coach."

Chiu said many of the Alouettes were surprised back in early 2010, when they heard rumours Milanovich had been offered the Argos job and turned it down. He said that made many think back then Milanovich would some day take over the Als after Trestman stepped away.

Jim Barker is presently serving as both coach and general manager for the Argos and has two years left on his contract, so the team would need to clarify Barker's role if Milanovich becomes coach. As host of the 100th Grey Cup next year, the Argos are urgently trying to strive for that game.

Milanovich was a three-year starting quarterback at the University of Maryland. He became the Terrapins' all-time leading passer, breaking records set at the school by Boomer Esiason.

The 6-foot-3, 227-pound undrafted quarterback earned a spot with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1996-99, mostly as a third guy. He also played a season in NFL Europe for the Berlin Thunder.

Milanovich was then a backup to Tommy Maddox with the Los Angeles Xtreme of the XFL, while Barker was the team's offensive co-ordinator. When Barker was the head coach of the Calgary Stampeders, Milanovich played for him briefly in 2003 before becoming quarterbacks coach there.

CFL onlookers now await official word on whether the two will work together in Toronto. Milanovich, 38, is also reportedly among the candidates for the Saskatchewan Roughriders' head coach opening. He is still under contract in Montreal.

"Scott is really honest and up-front, and you can be sure he'll tell you right where you stand, which players like," Chiu said. "He's really well-respected around the league, so if he doesn't get this job or doesn't decide to accept it, there will be many more suitors."

With files from Allan Maki Editor's Note: Bryan Chiu is the former Montreal Alouette and current offensive co-ordinator at Concordia University. His name was misspelled in the earlier version of this story.