Toronto Argonauts move on from co-defensive coordinator Jason Shivers

Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym/RFB Sport Photography

Co-defensive coordinator, defensive backs coach, and pro personnel assistant Jason Shivers will not be back with the Toronto Argonauts in 2026, per sources.

Shivers had one year remaining on his contract with the team and interviewed for their head coach position last month. However, he will not be retained as part of Mike Miller’s new staff.

The 43-year-old joined the Argos leading into the 2025 CFL season. He began his coaching career with the Double Blue in 2013 after playing five years at defensive back in the three-down league, including three with Toronto.

After becoming a defensive assistant with the Argonauts, Shivers was hired as Edmonton’s defensive backs coach in 2014 and stayed through 2015, winning a Grey Cup with the Green and Gold. He moved with Chris Jones to Saskatchewan in 2016, spent three seasons as defensive backs coach, then received a promotion to defensive coordinator in 2019.

He held the position through 2023, but lost his job when Craig Dickenson’s staff was fired, and Corey Mace was hired as Saskatchewan’s head coach and defensive coordinator. Shivers was Edmonton’s assistant head coach and defensive coordinator in 2024, but was not retained on Mark Kilam’s staff entering 2025.

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. Chad Kelly was unable to play all season due to a fractured leg he suffered in the East Final in 2024. Nick Arbuckle threw for 4,370 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions to be named the team’s 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, the leading receiver was Dejon Brissett with 907 yards, and the leading tackler was Cameron Judge with 79 tackles. The Argos ranked ninth in attendance with 15,109 average fans at BMO Field, which was a 0.1 percent decrease from the previous year.