Toronto Argonauts head coach Rich Stubler watches the playing during the final minutes of their Canadian Football League game against the Hamilton Tiger Cats in Toronto, Thursday, July 3, 2008. Stubler has rejoined the Argos as defensive co-ordinator.J.P. Moczulski/The Canadian Press
The Toronto Argonauts have named veteran coach Rich Stubler defensive co-ordinator, marking his third stint with the CFL club.
Stubler comes from Calgary where he held the same title with the Stampeders. He replaces Casey Creehan, whose contract was not be renewed.
"Rich Stubler is a veteran coach who is an excellent defensive strategist," Argonauts head coach Scott Milanovich said in a statement Thursday.
Stubler thanked the Stampeders for allowing him to make the move to be closer to his wife's family. Still, new Stamps coach Dave Dickenson clearly hoped to retain Stubler saying the move to Toronto came "unexpectedly."
Stubler, a five-time Grey Cup winner who has coached 28 years in the CFL, also spent time in Toronto in 1990 and from 2003 to 2008. He was defensive co-ordinator from 2003 to 2007, leading a stingy unit that sent 19 defensive players to the CFL all-star team and 27 defensive players to the East Division squad.
He was briefly head coach of the Argonauts in 2008, when he was fired after going 4-6.