Toronto has made a pair of new signings to beef up the Argonauts backfield in advance of the free agency date next week. The Press release from the team and the Canadian football league follows.
ARGONAUTS SIGN TWO TO BACKFIELD
Toronto – The Toronto Argonauts announced today that the club has signed international running backs Henry Josey and Michael Dyer.
Josey, a 5-10, 198-pound native of Angleton, Texas returns to the Argonauts after finishing the 2015 season on the club’s practice roster. In seven games last season, Josey compiled a total of 279 combined yards. Prior to originally signing with Toronto last May, the Missouri product spent time with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles. The 2011 All-Big 12 selection had 2,771 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns in four seasons with the Tigers.
Dyer, a 5-08, 218-pound native of Little Rock, Arkansas played two seasons at Louisville (2013-14) after transferring from Auburn (2010-11). The 2010 BCS National Champion finished his NCAA career with 3,039 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns on 578 carries. He spent training camp with the NFL’s Oakland Raiders last season.
The Argonauts also announced today that international linebacker Brian Rolle has retired.
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The Argonauts also announced a change in the coaching staff.
ARGOS NAME KELLY JEFFREY SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR
TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts Football Club officially announced today that Kelly Jeffrey has been named the club’s Special Teams Coordinator.
Jeffrey joins the Toronto Argonauts with over 20 years of coaching experience in the NCAA and CIS ranks. He has spent 12 years as a head coach, seven years as a positional coach, coaching quarterbacks, running backs and receivers, as well as a several years as an offensive and special teams coordinator throughout his career.
Commented Toronto Argonauts Head Coach Scott Milanovich, “I am very excited to have Kelly Jeffrey join our coaching staff. Kelly is a bright and talented coach that has proven to be successful throughout his coaching career. His natural leadership and attention to detail and fundamentals will complement our staff nicely.”
Prior to joining the Double Blue, Jeffrey served as the quarterbacks coach, offensive and special teams coordinator (2006-07), and head coach (2008-15) at Mount Allison University where he learned the intricacies of the Canadian game. The three-time AUS and 2014 CIS Coach of the Year helped the Mounties program return to the pinnacle of Atlantic University Sport (AUS), leading them to back-to-back AUS titles in 2014 and 2015, and a 2014 Mitchell Bowl appearance.
Commented Kelly Jeffrey, “I’m honoured to be a member of the Toronto Argonauts and have the opportunity to work with Scott Milanovich and his staff. I look forward to helping this club reach our ultimate goal of bringing the Grey Cup back to Toronto.
Jeffrey began his coaching career at his two alma maters as a receivers coach (1994-95) at Dickenson State University and running backs coach (1996-98) at Northern State University. After two seasons at his alma maters, Jeffrey went on to become the quarterbacks coach and special teams coordinator at the University of San Diego (1998-2000), where he trained three all-conference quarterbacks. After a stop at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) for the 2001 season, Jeffrey served as the head coach and offensive Coordinator at Mayville State University from 2002-05 before heading north to Canada.
The Toronto Argonauts also announced today that Scott Downing’s contract as special teams coordinator will not be renewed.
