The Toronto Argonauts’ head coaching search has become an embarrassing saga that reveals deep organizational problems.

According to SportsCage CFL analyst Arash Madani, multiple top candidates have already rejected the position, exposing a franchise in crisis.

If you asked the 5,000 college football and pro football coaches across the continent what they would do for a pro head coaching job, they’d give up a limb, most of them,” Madani explained on the SportsCage.

“Look at what’s happened over the last little while, everybody’s saying no to the Argo job. Mike O’Shea said no. Orlondo Steinauer said no. Corey Mace said no.”

O’Shea interviewed for the position before ultimately signing a three-year extension with Winnipeg.

Steinauer, currently Hamilton’s president of football operations, also declined interest.

Saskatchewan general manager Jeremy O’Day addressed reports about Coach Mace and the Double Blue, stating the Argonauts never even requested permission to speak with him.

“They didn’t call. No one asked for permission, so I’m not quite sure where that came from,” O’Day said. “But when we did hear about it, Corey did tell us that he’s not interested in going anywhere.”

The rejection spree is particularly shocking given Toronto’s status as a major market with substantial resources.

Former head coach Ryan Dinwiddie left to become Ottawa’s head coach and general manager on November 5.

In an interview with 3DownNation insider Justin Dunk, Dinwiddie explained how joining the Redblacks will allow him to do less work than when he was in The Six.

Madani elaborated on the fundamental problem plaguing the Argonauts’ front office.

“They have not had a scouting department, they have not had a player personnel department for three years,” he revealed.

“Guys keep leaving. Vince Magri left at the beginning of training camp in 2024, not replaced, went to the Buffalo Bills, and it’s now caught up with them.”

The situation deteriorated further under current management. “I’ve said it before: the team’s general manager couldn’t name half the players on the roster,” Madani continued.

They sided with Michael Clemons and John Murphy. Ryan Dinwiddie was like, ‘Cool, I’m out then.'”

Madani compared the Argos head coach job to applying for a hotel manager position without basic staff.

“Who’s going to make breakfast? Well, we don’t really have anybody to. Well, who’s in charge of the IT for the computer system? We don’t have an IT person.

Where’s the janitorial and the custodial services?

Well, we don’t have that either. Well, how am I supposed to be your front office manager of this hotel?”

Adding another layer of complexity is quarterback Chad Kelly’s contract situation. Kelly suffered a gruesome leg injury in the 2024 East Final but is expected to return healthy for 2026.

Madani revealed crucial details about his contract: “Chad Kelly’s cap hit for next season is based on his contract that is registered with the league.

I sourced this out last week when I was in Regina, it is $625,000.

That includes housing, that includes marketing money, that includes the partridge in a pear tree.”

However, Kelly is owed a $225,000 bonus on February 1, creating a critical decision point.

“If Chad Kelly is going to remain in Toronto, we will know on February 1 because they have to write that check for $225,000,” Madani explained.

“Is Chad Kelly on the trade market perhaps for an Argo roster that’s in tatters and you got to rebuild or not?”

Madani advised Kelly to hold firm on his contract.

“If I’m Chad, I do not restructure. I do not agree to a pay cut. I do not ask for a trade because here’s what happens:

If the Argos don’t want to pay him that money, they either have to trade the contract, and they won’t want to trade him to Ottawa to Ryan Dinwiddie, or they release him.

Then Kelly becomes a free agent a couple of weeks before free agency begins league-wide.”

The Argonauts finished 5-13 in 2025, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

The combination of roster holes, front office dysfunction, and an uncertain quarterback situation has created a perfect storm that’s scaring away qualified coaching candidates.

Until Toronto addresses its organizational problems, finding a quality head coach willing to take on this challenge may prove impossible.