When Anthony Calvillo’s legendary career didn’t end as expected — he never returned from a concussion at Saskatchewan in August 2013 — the Alouettes quarterback realized at 41 he had do something with the rest of his life.
Reinventing himself as a coach was never on his bucket list.
“I didn’t want to go into coaching,” Calvillo told The Gazette this week. “I knew I couldn’t retire and do nothing. What do I enjoy? What am I good at? I enjoy football, but knew I didn’t want to be on the business side.
“I was nervous about the hours, the commitment (to coaching). Coaches have no days off. I was hesitant. It came down to my passion and what I thought I was good at.”
That was 11 years ago, when . There have been stops along the way — the Toronto Argonauts and Université de Montréal — before a return to the Als in 2022 as the quarterbacks coach.
Calvillo was named offensive co-ordinator in 2023 under head coach . The title was misleading, since Maas continued calling the plays. late last season and now, through five games, the Als have one of the CFL’s most dynamic offences.
Heading into Saturday afternoon’s game at Calgary (4 p.m., TSN5, RDS, TSN Radio-690, 99.5 FM), the Als are averaging 31.6 points and 447.8 yards of net offence per game and have amassed 122 first downs. The only time they were held below 30 points was during a June 20 loss at Edmonton, when they scored 29.
Montreal has left points on the board tis season, only scoring 16 touchdowns through five games. But with Calvillo as the architect and quarterback Davis Alexander the lead actor, the Als are running trick plays — a flea-flicker and halfback option — have taken shots downfield, are aggressive, exciting and unpredictable.
To say this is surprising would be doing Calvillo an injustice. Calvillo called his own plays under head coach from 2002-06, but didn’t argue when those duties were taken away the following season.
Calvillo credited Maas and Alexander.
“He (Maas) has opened up my eyes to this creativity and aggressiveness,” Calvillo said. “Be smart, but our philosophy is to be aggressive when we need to be. The only reason we’re able to do this is because of the decision-makers — our quarterback. He has done a great job.
“There’s a trust factor that goes into this both ways. The success is the relationship between the quarterback and play-caller. There’s great communication. You want to have that confidence. If there’s friction, it’s going to be hard to have success.”
Alexander, in his second season as the starter, has used Calvillo as his role model, stating he has been inspired by the coach’s work ethic. Calvillo arrives at his Olympic Stadium office by 5 a.m., often beginning a 13-hour day. He would probably arrive earlier, except the doors are locked.
“You walk in the locker room, see Anthony Calvillo’s face everywhere and realize what an incredible legend and person he is … what he means to this city,” Alexander said. “I think about his greatness. He’s taking what he did as a player and making it into his coaching role. He works his butt off. He trusts us. He feels he can call some of the things because we’re doing it the way he wants.”
A football team’s offensive playbook is massive. The Als have a base concept they take into training camp, work on refining those plays through exhibition games and into the regular season. But at some point, opposing teams catch on and the chess match begins. It behooves Calvillo to remain at least one step ahead, changing plays each game and discovering new means in which to confuse the defence.
And then he must hope Alexander’s wonky left hamstring holds up.
Maas, a former CFL quarterback himself, had enough on his plate already and was happy to lighten his load following years of working with the O.C., watching Calvillo evolve and mature as a coach. Maas believed Calvillo was ready, especially after watching his small sample of work last season.
“He’s getting everybody involved with an aggressive mindset,” Maas said. “Spreading the ball around. Using our strengths. Getting the ball into the playmakers’ hands while still being able to protect the QB and being able to run the ball. That was the expectation when he took it over. His ability to keep the guys accountable. It was an easy call.
“He has carte blanche. It’s his show.”
Calvillo’s playing career speaks for itself. His 79,816 passing yards — a CFL record surpassed only by the NFL’s Tom Brady and Drew Brees — might never be eclipsed. While Calvillo’s 3-5 Grey Cup record might be considered unflattering, he said he sleeps well at night, knowing he lasted an incredible 20 seasons.
Calvillo has now traversed two-thirds of the coaching ladder, going from assistant to co-ordinator. One obvious step remains, and his body of work has sent a message to the league that he might be ready. He has said becoming a head coach isn’t necessarily his goal; consistency, the root of his playing career, more paramount.
What Calvillo won’t address, Maas is happy to broach.
“There’s no doubt in my mind,” Maas stated. “He should be one.”
hzurkowsky@postmedia.com
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