Mark Washington (born April 16, 1973) is an American football coach and former professional football player who was most recently the defensive coordinator for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played at defensive back in the CFL, having played for the Montreal Alouettes and the BC Lions over 11 seasons. After his retirement, he joined the Lions as the defensive backs coach, and was promoted to defensive coordinator for the 2014 BC Lions season.
 Washington with the Tiger-Cats in 2022 | |
| Born: | April 16, 1973 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| CFL status | American |
| Position(s) | Defensive coordinator, defensive backs coach |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| College | Rutgers |
| Career history | |
| As coach | |
| 2008–2013 | BC Lions (Defensive backs coach) |
| 2014–2018 | BC Lions (Defensive coordinator) |
| 2019–2024 | Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Defensive coordinator/DB coach) |
| As player | |
| 1997 | New York CityHawks |
| 1997–2002 | Montreal Alouettes |
| 2003–2007 | BC Lions |
| Awards | 2006 Tom Pate Memorial Award |
| Career stats | |
| |
College career
editWashington attended Rutgers University. As a junior at Rutgers, he was an All-Big East performer, and as a senior, he was the team captain.
Professional career
editWashington began his pro career with the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europa, where he won a World Bowl in 1997. He played six seasons for the Montreal Alouettes, from 1997 to 2002, recording nine interceptions (and returning two for touchdowns) and winning a Grey Cup in 2002. He moved in 2003, as a free agent, to the BC Lions, where in five seasons he intercepted eight passes (one for a TD), was named an all-star in 2003, and won the Grey Cup in 2006. He retired on January 31, 2008.
Coaching and broadcasting
editAfter his playing career, he became the defensive backs coach of the BC Lions, and also began a career in television broadcasting, co-hosting a local talk-show.[1][2] On December 12, 2013 it was announced that he would become the new defensive coordinator for the BC Lions.[3]
Mark Washington was named defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on January 16, 2019.[4] On November 29, 2022, it was reported by TSN insider Farhan Lalji that Washington was one of three finalists for the vacant Ottawa Redblacks head coaching job.[5] After struggles on defence contributed to the Tiger-Cats' CFL-worst 2–8 record, it was announced on August 19, 2024, that Washington had been fired by the team.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Washington makes his mark". Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2009.
- ^ "The Daily with Mark & Laura-Lynn on CHNU TV". Archived from the original on February 2, 2009. Retrieved January 6, 2009.
- ^ "Mark Washington named BC Lions defensive coordinator | B.C. Lions". bclions.com. Archived from the original on December 12, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
- ^ "Washington, Reinebold among Ticats' coaching additions". January 16, 2019.
- ^ TSN ca Staff (November 29, 2022). "Ottawa Redblacks head coaching candidates list down to three". TSN. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
- ^ "Tiger-Cats hire Chris Jones as senior defensive consultant". Hamilton Tiger-Cats. August 19, 2024.