ESKIMOS NAME MILANOVICH HEAD COACH

The Edmonton Eskimos have named Scott Milanovich as head coach – the 22nd in team history.

“Scott has a wealth of football knowledge and is a great leader who is a proven winner.  He is renowned for his ability to develop and get the best out of quarterbacks.  After an exhaustive search, we know Scott is the right man to lead our franchise. We’d like to welcome Scott and his family to the Eskimo family,” says Sunderland.

Milanovich returns to the CFL from Jacksonville where served as quarterbacks coach for the Jaguars since 2017. He spent the final five weeks of the 2018 season as the team’s play caller.

“Scott has been a valuable member of our offensive staff over the last three seasons and I know he’ll do a great job in his new role with the Eskimos. I’m excited for Scott and his family to embark on a new journey in Edmonton in January, and we wish them the best,”  says Jaguars Head Coach Doug Marrone.

A three-time Grey Cup champion (2009, 2010, 2012), Milanovich has 10 seasons of CFL coaching experience with three teams, including:

• Calgary Stampeders, Quarterbacks Coach (2003)
• Montreal Alouettes
  • Quarterbacks Coach (2007)
  • Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach (2008)
  • Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach (2009-11)
• Toronto Argonauts, Head Coach (2012-16).

“I am honoured and humbled for the opportunity to lead the Edmonton Eskimos, one of the Canadian Football League’s most historic franchises, as the head coach beginning in January. Chris Presson and Brock Sunderland have an amazing vision for the organization, and I’m grateful for their trust and confidence in me. I look forward to assembling a coaching staff that will work tirelessly every day to make our fans and the people of Edmonton proud of what the Esks represent to the community. On behalf of my wife, Jaime, and my children, Macall and Maggie, we are excited to begin this new chapter of our lives in Alberta and to meet the incredible fans of the Green and Gold,” says Milanovich.

“To the Khan family, Coach Marrone, the Jaguars organization and all of the fans, thank you for the time in Jacksonville and for embracing our family. I’ll always have fond memories of our experience in North Florida, and I will work hard over the final three weeks of the season to do everything I can do to help our team win.”

During Milanovich’s time with the Alouettes, the team appeared in three consecutive Grey Cup games, winning the championship in 2009 and 2010. In 2012, he earned CFL Coach of the Year honours and a Grey Cup victory as a first-year head coach with the Argos.

Under Milanovich’s guidance, former Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo was twice named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player (2008,2009) and former Argos quarterback Ricky Ray set multiple team and league records. Milanovich also helped develop All-Stars including receiver/returner Chad Owens who was named MOP in 2012, running back Brandon Whitaker and receiver Jamal Richardson.

His experience also includes NFL Europe, serving as quarterbacks coach for the Rhein of Fire (2003, 2004) — adding offensive coordinator to his duties for a season (2005), and offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Cologne Centurions (2006).

The former quarterback played four seasons with the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1996-99).  He also spent time with the Cleveland Browns (2000), NFL Europe’s Berlin Thunder (2000), XFL’s Los Angeles Xtreme (2001), Arena Football League’s Tampa Bay Storm (2002) and the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders (2003) where he played six games before closing the season as QB coach.

(Eskimos PR/Photo: RodPedersen.com)