Ottawa Redblacks hire Ryan Dinwiddie as their head coach and general manager

OTTAWA – Ryan Dinwiddie is on the move.

Dinwiddie was named the head coach and general manager of the Ottawa Redblacks on Wednesday. He moves to the Canadian capital following five seasons as the Toronto Argonauts head coach, having led the franchise two Grey Cup wins over that span.

Dinwiddie, 44, takes over coaching duties in Ottawa from Bob Dyce, who was fired after the franchise posted a 4-14 record this season to miss the CFL playoffs. He also assumes the GM title, with Shawn Burke — who was hired in that capacity in December 2021 — becoming vice-president of football operations.

“I’m incredibly excited to join the Ottawa Redblacks as head coach and general manager,” Dinwiddie said in a statement. “This is a proud organization with passionate fans and a strong foundation to build on.

“I’m looking forward to working with Shawn to build our football club and to create a winning culture here in the nation’s capital with the goal of bringing sustained success and a Grey Cup back to Ottawa.”

Burke signed an extension with Ottawa through the 2028 season.

“Ryan brings a tremendous football mind and a competitive drive that fits perfectly with what we want in Ottawa,” said Burke. “He’s shown he can get the most out of his players and staff and we’re confident his experience will have an immediate impact on our organization.”

Dinwiddie, Burke and Redblacks president Adrian Sciarra were slated to meet with media in Ottawa on Thursday morning.

Despite being under contract in Toronto, Dinwiddie was able to leave the Argos because the position in Ottawa was a promotion. The Argos were 51-35 under Dinwiddie and won three division championships while posting a 5-2 playoff record and Grey Cup victories in 2022 and ’24.

Dinwiddie was the CFL’s coach of the year in 2023 after guiding Toronto to a franchise-record 16-win campaign (16-2).

“We want to thank Ryan for everything he brought to this organization over the last five seasons,” said Argos GM Mike Clemons. “A capable, competent, and committed coach, he delivered more than we could have asked … Two Grey Cup championships, a Coach of the Year Award, a 16-2 regular season, and the fourth most wins for a coach in Toronto Argonauts history. 

“Ryan’s impact on the organization will be forever appreciated. The Toronto Argonauts owe a debt of gratitude to Ryan and wish him all the best going forward. The search for a new head coach is underway.”

Toronto struggled this season, finishing third in the East with a 5-13 record and missing the playoffs. The Argos went the entire campaign without starter Chad Kelly after he suffered a serious leg injury in the ’24 East final versus Montreal.

Ottawa has missed the CFL playoffs in five of the last six seasons since losing 27-16 to Calgary in the 2018 Grey Cup. Dinwiddie, a California native, was an assistant coach with the Stampeders.

The Redblacks’ lone post-season appearance over that span came last year after finishing third in the East with a 9-8-1 record. But Dinwiddie and the Argos dispatched Ottawa 58-38.

Dinwiddie began his coaching career with the Montreal Alouettes as an offensive quality control coach (2013-15). He then spent three seasons as the quarterbacks coach with Calgary (2016-19) before being hired by Toronto.

Dinwiddie played quarterback at Boise State, spending time in the CFL with Winnipeg (2006-08) and the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2010-11). He started the 2007 Grey Cup game for the Blue Bombers, which the Saskatchewan Roughriders won 23-19.

Dinwiddie will be inducted into the Boise State Hall of Fame in 2026.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2025.