Argos prepare for CFL draft by solidifying football staff
April 19, 2006 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Toronto Argonauts News Release
Mississauga - In anticipation of tomorrow's 2006 CFL Canadian Draft, the Argonauts have said mahalo (Hawaiian for âthank you') to GM/Vice President, Football Operations, Adam Rita and Assistant GM/Director, Player Personnel, Greg Mohns by extending both of their contracts with the club through the 2007 season.
Adam Rita commented on his new extension, "It's great to extend my time as an Argo! I'm happy to be part of this organization and I'm looking forward to watching the team grow and get better for the future. I'm very proud to be part of a club that is run with a tremendous amount of class. We have incredible leadership from our owners, David Cynamon and Howard Sokolowski, and President & CEO, Keith Pelley. I'm glad they want me to help build a winning club here in Toronto."
With more than 20-years of experience in the CFL, Rita is one of the most accomplished executives in professional football. In two seasons as Toronto's GM/Vice President, Football Operations, he has used his expertise to assemble one of the most successful football programs in the league. The Argonauts have twice competed in the East Championship, won a Grey Cup Championship and returned to first place in their division. Rita has been able to secure current Argo stars for the long term including WR Tony Miles, SB Arland Bruce and LB Kevin Eiben. He has also attracted key free agents like recently signed CFL star WR Keith Stokes.
One of just a few Hawaiian-born football men in the entire league, Rita is a six-time Grey Cup champion and was a central part of three of the Argonauts' past four Grey Cup wins in 1991, 1996 and 2004. In 1991, Rita became the third coach in Argos history to be named CFL Coach of the Year. In 1996, he was the club's Offensive Coordinator and in 2004, moved to his current position.
Mohns was thrilled to extend his time in Toronto, "I'm really excited to extend my contract. It provides the club with continuity as we are just starting to reap the benefits of keeping staff together. We have a tremendous front office and coaching staff that I look forward to working with for years to come. Adam Rita and I have worked together for many seasons and we work very well together. Having the rest of the coaching staff like Michael Clemons, Kent Austin and Rich Stubler also signed long-term, makes it a pleasure to be with the Argonauts and means we have a solid foundation for the future."
Greg Mohns is among the foremost evaluators of talent in professional football. His knack for seeking out all-star caliber players established the foundation for the Argonauts' 2004 Grey Cup championship. Mohns searched North America for the best players available and returned with all-star CB Jordan Younger, all-star DE Jonathan Brown and the CFL's toughest receiver Robert Baker.
Mohns is a two-time Grey Cup Champion in the City of Toronto. He was the club's Director of Football Operations in the 1996 Grey Cup-winning season and helped to build the 2004 Argonauts. The California native began his CFL career in 1991 as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' Director of Player Personnel before joining the Memphis Mad Dogs, the Toronto Argonauts and eventually the BC Lions. Before coming to Canada, Mohns served in various scouting positions with the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs from 1983 to 1988.
The club has also announced that it has hired on Miles Gorrell as Canadian Scout. Gorrell joined the Argos last March as a consultant. The legendary Offensive Lineman joined the team after a season as Director of Canadian Personnel with the Calgary Stampeders. The five-time divisional All-Star sits third in the history books for games played (321).
Canadian Football League Stories from April 19, 2006
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- 2006 Draft preview - Montreal Alouettes
- Redmond to leave CFL - CFL
- Argos prepare for CFL draft by solidifying football staff - Toronto Argonauts
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