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Toronto Argonauts

Argos Name Peter Kuharchek Defensive Coordinator

January 21, 2009 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Toronto Argonauts News Release


Mobile, Alabama - Less than a week on the job and Toronto Argonauts new Head Coach Bart Andrus is already busy adding world-class football savvy to his coaching staff by appointing Peter Kuharchek the club's new Defensive Coordinator.

Bart Andrus remarked, "I'm so pleased that Pete Kuharchek will be joining our staff as Defensive Coordinator. I worked with him at the Rhein Fire where we won a World Bowl together. Then for 5 years, I went again his defence when I was with the Amsterdam Admirals. They were very prepared for what we had in store offensively and it was always a great challenge to go against a Pete Kuharchek-coached defence."

Kuharchek is a widely-respected defensive strategist with 40-years of coaching experience. His resume speaks to his versatility, having held positions in several leagues at many different levels. He has coached in seven World Bowl championships over ten seasons as both an assistant coach and head coach with the Rhein Fire of NFL Europa (NFLE), gained valuable CFL experience as a member of the 1991 B.C. Lions coaching staff and served as a defensive coach in a variety of capacities at several NCAA schools.

Commented Kuharchek, "I'm so fortunate to have the opportunity to coach with the Toronto Argonauts and Bart Andrus. Bart and I go back a long way together. I have the greatest respect for him and his coaching philosophy. Adam, Greg and the organization have been great and I can't wait to get this thing started."

Kuharchek left a legacy as one of greatest defensive coaches in NFLE history during his decade-long stay (1996-2005). His early success as defensive coordinator (1996-2000), which saw his units finish among the top-2 in most statistical categories, resulted in a promotion to Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator in 2000. He held the position for five seasons and led his team to two more World Bowl games before returning to North America. Upon his return, Kuharchek joined the AFL's Tampa Storm (2006) as a quality control coach, and later a defensive line coach. He was then lured to Louisiana Tech (2006-07) as a linebackers coach, and was a guest coach at the Montreal Alouettes' training camp in 2007.

Prior to moving to Europe, Kuharchek was a defensive coordinator for the NCAA Division 1 Texas El Paso program (1991, 1993-95), Orlando Thunder (World League) in 1992, Memphis State University (1986-89), Tampa Bay Bandits (1983-85) of the USFL, and Eastern Tennessee State University (1981-82). He won the 1976 Peach Bowl as a defensive coach at the University of Kentucky. Kuharchek's resume also includes coaching positions at Holy Cross College (1979-80), Tampa Catholic High School (1972-75), and his alma mater, University of Tampa.

Born November 12, 1947 in Johnstown, PA, Kuharchek was a starting linebacker at the University of Tampa (UT) from 1967-69 where he earned a Business degree and was inducted into the UT Hall of Fame in 2002. He transferred to UT from George Washington University where he played two seasons (1965-66) as a staring linebacker.

Current Argos QB Kerry Joseph (who was a safety in Europe) and CB Jordan Younger were cornerstones of Kuharchek's shutdown defences with the Rhein Fire. Argonauts RB Jamal Robertson flourished under Head Coach Kuharchek having earned NFLE Offensive MVP in 2002.

Argos QB Kerry Joseph stated, "It's been a long time but in 1998, I had a chance to play safety with him. It was my first time playing at that position but he gave me a lot of playing time and the chance to further my career at the safety position. Pete was the type of coach who prepared us well but at the same time, put us in the position to go out, have fun and play the game of football. I think that's why we won the World Bowl because our defence was prepared and played loose."

RB Jamal Robertson enthused, "When I played under Coach Kuharchek, the one thing I knew was that his defence was a machine not to be reckoned with. They prided themselves on being able to stop the run and the pass equally. When it comes to understanding defence, he's a monster. Coach Kuharchek is like a silent assassin because he's really laid back and easy to get along with, but then he can aggressively motivate and work a defence. As a head coach, he really supported my game and gave me an opportunity to play and contribute to our run to the championship game."

Commented CB Jordan Younger, "Of all the defences I've played on in my professional career, Coach Pete's defences were always the most disciplined and the most fun to play on. With the athleticism we have on the Argos defence, we should be an exciting defence to watch in his system."

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