Ryan Lee Dinwiddie (born November 27, 1980)[1][2] is an American professional football coach and former player who is the head coach of the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played as a quarterback in the CFL for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Ryan Dinwiddie
Toronto Argonauts
Dinwiddie with the Toronto Argonauts in 2024
Born:November 27, 1980 (1980-11-27) (age 43)
Elk Grove, California, U.S.
Career information
Position(s)Head coach
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight195 lb (88 kg)
CollegeBoise State
High schoolElk Grove
Career history
As coach
20132015Montreal Alouettes (OQC)
20162019Calgary Stampeders (QB)
2020–presentToronto Argonauts (HC)
As player
20042005*Chicago Bears
2005Hamburg Sea Devils
20062008Winnipeg Blue Bombers
20102011Saskatchewan Roughriders
*Offseason and/or practice roster member only
Career highlights and awards

As head coach:

Career stats

College career

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Dinwiddie graduated from Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove, California. He was three-year starter at Boise State from 2001 to 2003, and one of the most prolific passers in college football history. In 2003, he passed for 4,031 yards, 28 touchdowns, and only 5 interceptions. Dinwiddie's record NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) for career passing efficiency with a mark of 168.9 was broken in 2007 by Colt Brennan's career 169.25.

Dinwiddie is considered, by some, to be the greatest quarterback in the history of Boise State football.[3] Though many of his records and accomplishments went on to be surpassed by Kellen Moore. His leadership and on-field performance was one of the reasons for the continued success of Boise State football during his tenure.

Professional career

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Chicago Bears and NFL Europe

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After playing college football, Dinwiddie went undrafted in the 2004 NFL draft and signed with the Chicago Bears, however he was cut from their training camp and placed on their practice squad for the 2004 NFL season.[4] The Bears then allocated Dinwiddie to play for the Hamburg Sea Devils of NFL Europe during the 2005 NFL Europe season, and was cut upon his return.[5][6][7]

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

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Dinwiddie joined the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for the 2006 CFL season. During the off-season, before the 2007 CFL season, Dinwiddie attempted to join Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League, lasting for three weeks with the Rattlers before learning that his CFL contract precluded him from playing during the 2007 Arena Football League season.[6][8]

After an injury to Winnipeg Blue Bombers starting quarterback Kevin Glenn in the 4th quarter of the CFL East Division Final on November 18, 2007, Dinwiddie was pressed into action. He made his first CFL start for the Blue Bombers against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the 2007 Grey Cup, won by Saskatchewan 23 to 19. Dinwiddie gave up 3 interceptions to James Johnson.[9]

Making just his second career CFL start (and first career CFL regular season start) on July 24, 2008, Dinwiddie moved the ball, avoided sacks and kept plays alive. He finished 24 of 39 for 450 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions. Dinwiddie also ran for 26 yards on six carries to lead the Blue Bombers to their first win of the season.

Dinwiddie's success was short-lived with the Blue Bombers, however. During his 3 years as a backup in Winnipeg, his career CFL statistics are 58.2% completion percentage, for 1,581 yards, 6 Touchdowns and 9 Interceptions, for a Passer Rating of 73.8. He also rushed the ball 23 times for 112 yards, 1 Touchdown, and 2 Fumbles.

Dinwiddie was released at the beginning of the Blue Bombers 2009 training camp.[10]

Saskatchewan Roughriders

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Dinwiddie with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

On May 26, 2010, it was announced that Dinwiddie had signed a contract with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.[11] After serving as the back-up to Darian Durant for two years, Dinwiddie was released on January 19, 2012.[12] He retired as a player shortly thereafter.

Coaching career

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Montreal Alouettes

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On February 19, 2013, it was announced that Dinwiddie was joining the coaching staff of the Montreal Alouettes newly hired head coach, Dan Hawkins, as the offensive quality control coach.[13][14]

Calgary Stampeders

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On December 8, 2015, Dinwiddie was hired by the Calgary Stampeders as the team's QB coach.[15] Under Dinwiddie, Bo Levi Mitchell won CFL Most Outstanding Player twice as the Stampeders reached the Grey Cup in three consecutive years, including winning in 2018.[16]

Toronto Argonauts

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On December 12, 2019, Dinwiddie was named the head coach of the Toronto Argonauts, the 45th in team history.[16] However, the 2020 CFL season was cancelled and he did not coach in 2020. In his first season, in 2021, he led the team to a first-place finish in the East Division, but the club lost the East Final to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

In 2022, after a 4–5 start to the season, Dinwiddie led the team to an 11–7 finish and a second consecutive first-place finish in the East Division. He earned his first playoff victory against the Montreal Alouettes in the East Final and coached in his first Grey Cup as a head coach. He led the team to the 18th championship in franchise history after the team defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 109th Grey Cup game.[17]

In 2023, Dinwiddie led the team to their best record in franchise history and tied a CFL record with a 16–2 Win–Loss record. The team also started the season with an 11–1 record which was the best start to a season in franchise history and they also finished undefeated at home in the regular season.[18] The Argonauts also set a CFL record as the earliest to clinch a first place finish with six games remaining in an 18-game schedule.[19] However, much like the only other team to finish with 16 regular season wins (the 1989 Edmonton Eskimos), the Argonauts were upset in the East Final.[20]

CFL coaching record

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Team Year Regular Season Post Season
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Result
TOR 2021 9 5 0 .643 1st in East Division 0 1 Lost in East Final
TOR 2022 11 7 0 .611 1st in East Division 2 0 Won 109th Grey Cup
TOR 2023 16 2 0 .889 1st in East Division 0 1 Lost in East Final
TOR 2024 10 8 0 .556 2nd in East Division 3 0 Won 111th Grey Cup
Total 46 22 0 .676 3 Division
Championships
5 2 2 Grey Cups

References

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  1. ^ "Team profile". Winnipeg Blue Bombers website. Retrieved November 19, 2007.
  2. ^ "Scout.com profile". Retrieved November 19, 2007.
  3. ^ Writer, John Hull-Citizen Sports (February 23, 2010). "Where Are They Now: Ryan Dinwiddie". Elk Grove Citizen. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  4. ^ "Dinwiddie cut". Lewiston Tribune. September 1, 2004.
  5. ^ Miller, Anthony (December 4, 2023). "Would Argos Coach Ryan Dinwiddie Consider NFL in Future?". Sports Illustrated Fannation.
  6. ^ a b Arthur, Bruce (November 20, 2007). "Dinwiddie Finally Gets the Big Call". CFL.ca. Canadian Football League / National Post.
  7. ^ "Passer on a passport". Chicago Tribune. June 9, 2005.
  8. ^ Davis, Darrell (November 21, 2007). "Dinwiddie gets Riders' respect". Regina Leader-Post. {{cite news}}: More than one of |website= and |newspaper= specified (help)
  9. ^ "Winnipeg Sun, November 19, 2007". Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved November 19, 2007.
  10. ^ "Blue Bombers sign Edwards to extension; release 4". TSN.ca. June 6, 2009. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  11. ^ Riderville.ca staff (May 26, 2010). "Riders add QBs Dinwiddie and Reesing". CFL.ca. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015.
  12. ^ The Canadian Press (January 12, 2012). "Riders release backup QB Ryan Dinwiddie". CFL.ca. Archived from the original on November 8, 2012.
  13. ^ "Dan Hawkins named head coach | Montreal Alouettes". Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved February 20, 2013.
  14. ^ "Montreal Alouettes name Dan Hawkins new head coach | CFL.ca | Official Site of the Canadian Football League". Archived from the original on February 24, 2013.
  15. ^ "Source: Dinwiddie to join Stampeders as QB coach - Sportsnet.ca".
  16. ^ a b "Ryan Dinwiddie named 45th head coach in Argos history". Toronto Argonauts. December 12, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  17. ^ "Title wave: Argos wash away Bombers' dynasty hopes". CFL.ca. Canadian Football League. November 20, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  18. ^ "Argos clinch first place in the East Division for third consecutive season". Toronto Argonauts. September 15, 2023.
  19. ^ "Game notes" (PDF). Canadian Football League. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  20. ^ "Argos historical season ends with EF loss to Alouettes". CFL.ca. Canadian Football League. November 11, 2023.
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