{"id":810057,"date":"2026-07-18T12:24:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T12:24:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/810057\/"},"modified":"2026-07-18T12:24:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-18T12:24:09","slug":"inside-the-cfl-anthony-calvillo-has-alouettes-offence-firing-on-all-cylinders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/810057\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside the CFL: Anthony Calvillo has Alouettes’ offence firing on all cylinders"},"content":{"rendered":"

When Anthony Calvillo\u2019s legendary career didn\u2019t end as expected \u2014\u00a0he never returned from a concussion at Saskatchewan in August 2013 \u2014\u00a0the Alouettes quarterback realized at 41 he had do something with the rest of his life.<\/p>\n

Reinventing himself as a coach was never on his bucket list.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t want to go into coaching,\u201d Calvillo told The Gazette this week. \u201cI knew I couldn\u2019t retire and do nothing. What do I enjoy? What am I good at? I enjoy football, but knew I didn\u2019t want to be on the business side.<\/p>\n

\u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was 11 years ago, when . There have been stops along the way \u2014\u00a0the Toronto Argonauts and Universit\u00e9 de Montr\u00e9al \u2014 before a return to the Als in 2022 as the quarterbacks coach.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s most dynamic offences.<\/p>\n

Heading into Saturday afternoon\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> the lead actor, the Als are running trick plays \u2014\u00a0a flea-flicker and halfback option \u2014 have taken shots downfield, are aggressive, exciting and unpredictable.<\/p>\n

To say this is surprising would be doing Calvillo an injustice. Calvillo called his own plays under head coach from 2002-06, but didn\u2019t argue when those duties were taken away the following season.<\/p>\n

Calvillo credited Maas and Alexander.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe (Maas) has opened up my eyes to this creativity and aggressiveness,\u201d Calvillo said. \u201cBe smart, but our philosophy is to be aggressive when we need to be. The only reason we\u2019re able to do this is because of the decision-makers \u2014\u00a0our quarterback. He has done a great job.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a trust factor that goes into this both ways. The success is the relationship between the quarterback and play-caller. There\u2019s great communication. You want to have that confidence. If there\u2019s friction, it\u2019s going to be hard to have success.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alexander, in his second season as the starter, has used Calvillo as his role model, stating he has been inspired by the coach\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou walk in the locker room, see Anthony Calvillo\u2019s face everywhere and realize what an incredible legend and person he is \u2026 what he means to this city,\u201d Alexander said. \u201cI think about his greatness. He\u2019s 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\u2019re doing it the way he wants.\u201d<\/p>\n

A football team\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

And then he must hope Alexander\u2019s wonky left hamstring<\/a> holds up.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s getting everybody involved with an aggressive mindset,\u201d Maas said. \u201cSpreading the ball around. Using our strengths. Getting the ball into the playmakers\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has carte blanche. It\u2019s his show.\u201d<\/p>\n

Calvillo\u2019s playing career speaks for itself. His 79,816 passing yards \u2014\u00a0a CFL record surpassed only by the NFL\u2019s Tom Brady and Drew Brees \u2014\u00a0might never be eclipsed. While Calvillo\u2019s 3-5 Grey Cup record might be considered unflattering, he said he sleeps well at night, knowing he lasted an incredible 20 seasons.<\/p>\n

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\u2019t necessarily his goal; consistency, the root of his playing career, more paramount.<\/p>\n

What Calvillo won\u2019t address, Maas is happy to broach.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no doubt in my mind,\u201d Maas stated. \u201cHe should be one.\u201d<\/p>\n

hzurkowsky@postmedia.com<\/p>\n

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