CFL NOTEBOOK: DINWIDDIE GETS EXTENSION, HARRIS NAMED P.O.W.

TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts have signed head coach Ryan Dinwiddie to a multi-year extension.

Dinwiddie is in his third season as Toronto’s head coach.

He has guided the franchise to consecutive first-place finishes in the East Division, and the Argos capped the 2022 campaign defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 24-23 for their 18th Grey Cup championship.

Toronto (3-0) is the CFL’s lone unbeaten team heading into its game Friday night in Montreal versus the Alouettes (2-2).

It’s the first time since 1991 the Argos have opened a season with three straight victories.

Dinwiddie has compiled a 23-12 regular-season record with Toronto. He has been named the East Division’s top coach in each of the last two years.

“I am beyond thrilled to sign an extension to stay in Toronto and to continue building a winning culture here in the city,” Dinwiddie said Tuesday in a statement. “My family loves it here, the organization and fans have been so accommodating and supporting of us.

“We are building something special here and I want to thank the Argonauts organization for giving me this opportunity.”

Dinwiddie had to wait to to appear in his first CFL game as a head coach. He was hired by the Argos in December 2019, but the CFL didn’t play in 2020 due to the global pandemic.

“While some say coaches are hired to be fired, in this case our hire brought fire,” said Argos GM Mike (Pinball) Clemons. “We needed someone to not only be good with the Xs and Os but to be able to lead a group of men each and every day.

“He has far exceeded our lofty expectations.”

TORONTO – Trevor Harris of the Saskatchewan Roughriders was named the top quarterback in the CFL’s weekly honour roll Tuesday.

Players in nine specific positions are highlighted based on data points registered and compiled by Pro Football Focus, a sports analytics company.

Harris got the nod at quarterback with a grade of 88.2 for his play in Saskatchewan’s 12-11 win over the Edmonton Elks on Thursday night. Harris completed 19-of-29 passes for 292 yards and a touchdown in the contest.

Riders receiver Mitchell Picton (75.0) and Saskatchewan’s offensive line (75.7) also received honours.

Calgary’s Dedrick Mills (88.1) was the top-ranked running back while Ottawa’s Drew Desjarlais (75.5) was the highest-rated individual offensive lineman.

Winnipeg defensive lineman Jackson Jeffcoat (84.1), Ottawa linebacker Tyrone Vrede (73.8) and Montreal defensive back Marc-Antoine Dequoy (83.4) all earned honours on defence.

Special-team accolades went to Calgary punter Cody Grace (74.5) and B.C. defensive lineman Woody Baron (91.9).

(CP)