Photo: CFL.ca
The Toronto Argonauts are set to hire former CFL standout Jovon Johnson as the team’s defensive backs coach, per sources.
The 42-year-old has spent the last six years coaching at the high school and collegiate levels in the United States, most recently as the special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach at Gannon University.
Johnson played 12 CFL seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Ottawa Redblacks, Montreal Alouettes, and Saskatchewan Roughriders. He was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2011 with the Blue and Gold, becoming the first defensive back ever to win the award.
The Erie, Pa. native recorded 564 defensive tackles, 76 pass knockdowns, 35 interceptions, 10 forced fumbles, 10 special teams tackles, eight sacks, and eight defensive touchdowns over 188 career regular-season games. He was also a dynamic returner, scoring four special teams touchdowns. Johnson earned two All-CFL selections and five All-Division selections.
The Argonauts finished third in the East Division standings in 2025 with a 5-13 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Franchise quarterback Chad Kelly was unable to play all season due to a fractured leg he suffered in the East Final the previous year, giving way to Nick Arbuckle, who threw for 4,370 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions to be named the team’s candidate for Most Outstanding Player.
Toronto ranked seventh in net offence, sixth in net defence, and seventh with a turnover differential of minus-eight. The team’s leading rusher was Spencer Brown with 314 yards, leading receiver was Dejon Brissett with 907 yards, and leading tackler was Cameron Judge with 79 tackles. The Argos ranked ninth in attendance with average crowds of 15,109, which was a 0.1 percent decrease from the previous year.