Coach/GM Ryan Dinwiddie faces tough rebuilding year with 0-8 Redblacks

OTTAWA – Ryan Dinwiddie has had some tough seasons in his CFL career, but never before had he experienced what the Ottawa Redblacks are currently going through.

The Redblacks fell to 0-8 on the season after a 42-20 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders last Friday night. Ottawa will once again be looking to get in the win column when it travels to Winnipeg to face the 4-4 Blue Bombers this Friday.

When Dinwiddie left the Toronto Argonauts to become the Redblacks’ head coach and general manager last November he knew turning things around in the nation’s capital would be a challenge. The team finished 4-14 and missing the playoffs in 2025 under former head coach Bob Dyce.

“It’s been more of a challenge than I anticipated,” said Dinwiddie. “But you know that’s part of it.”

Dinwiddie made changes in the off-season and continues to tinker with the lineup in hopes of finding the right combination.

Before the season started the Redblacks parted ways with veteran defensive tackle Dylan Wynn, who had signed as a free agent.

Veteran defensive back Demerio Houston was released Monday. Houston had appeared in all eight games and had 23 defensive tackles and one special teams tackle. Ottawa also released defensive back Amari Henderson, who had 20 defensive tackles in six games this season. 

Those moves come on the heels of the Redblacks parting ways with defensive co-ordinator Will Fields last week.

Also Monday, Ottawa signed defensive back Kenzel Lawler, receiver Grant DuBose, Canadian lineman Jaxon Morkin and Canadian long-snapper Lucus Spencer.

As with every rebuild Dinwiddie knew there would be challenges, but there will be a lot to evaluate once this season is over.

“I think we kept the guys that were here in the past that we believed in,” Dinwiddie said. “And then we went out in free agency, trying to get some players that we felt could help us.”

Dinwiddie isn’t throwing in the towel. Mathematically speaking, the Redblacks are only three games out of a playoff spot. 

“So, you know, that’s one of the things that we always preach to the guys: the season’s not over,” he said. “And then one thing I’m preaching to guys is just you know, find joy in the process. Have fun, just like if you did when you’re a five-year-old kid. Don’t put the pressure of wins and losses with where we’re at in the standings. Just go out there and have fun, do things the right way.”

While the losses are tough on players, they are just as difficult for someone like Dinwiddie who is accustomed to winning. He won Grey Cup rings in 2022 and 2024 as head coach of the Argonauts and another as quarterback coach of the Calgary Stampeders in 2018. He was the CFL’s coach of the year in 2023.

Dinwiddie says he has been hearing from a number of friends and mentors in the coaching community. They’ve been watching the games and understand what he’s going through.

“You can just rely on some of their experiences that they’ve been there,” Dinwiddie said. “Veteran coaches that you appreciate for their advice.”

Receiver Kalil Pimpleton says it’s up to the players to keep pushing forward despite the long losing streak.

“Nobody thought that we would be in this position,” said receiver Kalil Pimpleton. “But again, we’re professionals, and our job is to come in week after week and find ways to get better. Whether we’re eight and zero or zero and eight, we just continue to come in, be professionals, and find ways to get better to win football games.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 10, 2026.