Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym/RFB Sport Photography
Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ president of football operations Orlondo Steinauer is still referred to as “Coach” by many around the CFL, but he currently has no plans to return to the sideline.
The 52-year-old was rumoured to be a candidate for head coaching vacancies in Toronto and Ottawa this offseason, but declined a chance to interview with the Argonauts. He addressed speculation regarding his desire to return to coaching in a recent appearance on CHCH’s Sportsline Podcast with Bubba O’Neil, expressing a lack of immediate interest while keeping his options open.
“I don’t rule those things out, but I say the same thing when I was rumoured to leave Hamilton to go other places,” Steinauer said. “I’m where my feet are at right now. I’m focused on 2026 and helping to build and construct the best football team we can through each step.”
“We’ve got the bowl games coming up, then we’ve obviously got free agency, then we’ve got to prep for the CFL Draft, and then there’s the Combine, and obviously the CFL Draft and Global Draft. That’s really my focus, and that’s why I say ‘never say never,’ but (a return to coaching) is not on the radar right now. It’s all about building a championship roster and environment for the 2026 season, for the ultimate goal that we all know. We’re just going to focus on the daily process right now.”
Steinauer served as the Ticats’ head coach from 2019 until 2023, posting a 39-29 record. He was named the CFL’s Coach of the Year in 2019 and took the team to back-to-back Grey Cups, losing both times.
Despite never missing the playoffs in four seasons at the helm, the Seattle, Wash., native surrendered coaching duties following the 2023 season in order to focus on his football operations role. Scott Milanovich took over as head coach and has gone 18-18 in two seasons, finishing first in the East Division in 2025 before losing in the East Final.
Some wondered if Steinauer would be satisfied working exclusively in the front office, given his passion for coaching and the success he had already achieved in the field. However, the Canadian Football Hall of Famer appears to be embracing this new stage of his career.
“It’s obviously different from being in front of the football team, but I kind of have a different team. All the department heads and everybody else, that is my team now,” he explained, noting that he still gets his on-field fix.
“Obviously, I have a coaching background. Scott and I talk football all the time, so it’s not like I’m just behind the desk. I go out on the practice field; I’m not watching practice from some bird’s eye view somewhere, and just assessing everything and taking notes. I’m down there, ground floor. I sit in meetings. When Scott needs something, we talk ball. If you need help with a drill or something, I’ll do it. It’s kind of the best of both worlds for me. I love supporting Scott and everybody else. It’s totally different — to try to compare it like it possibly could be the same, it’s definitely not — but it has its perks, and I’m really enjoying it.”
In his two seasons since stepping away from coaching, Steinauer has worked with a general manager — Ed Hervey in 2024 and Ted Goveia in 2025. However, the team has not filled that title since Goveia’s tragic passing due to cancer in September and appears set to operate without a true GM next year.
Hamilton has employed some unconventional front office setups in the past and recently hired Brock Sunderland as senior director of player personnel. Steinauer indicated that the former Edmonton Elks general manager will take the lead on player acquisition, but that he alone holds final say on all roster moves.
“It will be on a collaborative basis. Ultimately, somebody has to make the final decision, and that will flow through me,” Steinauer said. “I’m not a big title guy, as you know from being around me and actually walking through our building. I’m about roles and responsibilities. I’m responsible for everything in football operations. It was no different when we had a general manager. It still falls on me, my full responsibility of everything. Like I said, it’s more about the roles, responsibilities, and the clarity versus the title.”
Both Steinauer’s title and role are crystal clear for next season, though there is no telling if the coaching itch will return when the next round of jobs open up in 2027.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats finished first in the East Division standings in 2025 with an 11-7 record, though the team lost the East Final to the Montreal Alouettes. Bo Levi Mitchell led the CFL with 5,296 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions after starting all 18 regular-season games, earning the East Division’s nomination for Most Outstanding Player.
The Tiger-Cats ranked third in net offence, eighth in net defence, and first with a turnover differential of plus-ten. The club’s leading rusher was Greg Bell with 1,038 yards, the leading receiver was Kenny Lawler with 1,443 yards, and the leading tackler was Stavros Katsantonis with 69 tackles. Hamilton ranked fourth in attendance with average crowds of 22,858, which was a 3.9 percent increase from the previous year.