![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/efda67e9d02169f83f88f29f3a4a45da0a92821773f17eb1ee3e32fe931d3f57-300x222.jpg\")
Ottawa Redblacks head coach Ryan Dinwiddie looks on during second half CFL football action against the Toronto Argonauts in Ottawa on Saturday, June 20, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Justin TangOTTAWA \u2014 Ryan Dinwiddie has had some tough seasons in his CFL career, but never before had he experienced what the Ottawa Redblacks are currently going through.\nThe Redblacks fell to 0-8 on the season after a 42-20 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders last Friday night. Ottawa will once again be looking to get in the win column when it travels to Winnipeg to face the 4-4 Blue Bombers this Friday.
\nWhen Dinwiddie left the Toronto Argonauts to become the Redblacks\u2019 head coach and general manager last November he knew turning things around in the nation\u2019s capital would be a challenge. The team finished 4-14 and missing the playoffs in 2025 under former head coach Bob Dyce.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s been more of a challenge than I anticipated,\u201d said Dinwiddie. \u201cBut you know that\u2019s part of it.\u201d
\nDinwiddie made changes in the off-season and continues to tinker with the lineup in hopes of finding the right combination.
\nBefore the season started the Redblacks parted ways with veteran defensive tackle Dylan Wynn, who had signed as a free agent.
\nVeteran defensive back Demerio Houston was released Monday. Houston had appeared in all eight games and had 23 defensive tackles and one special teams tackle. Ottawa also released defensive back Amari Henderson, who had 20 defensive tackles in six games this season.
\nThose moves come on the heels of the Redblacks parting ways with defensive co-ordinator Will Fields last week.
\nAlso Monday, Ottawa signed defensive back Kenzel Lawler, receiver Grant DuBose, Canadian lineman Jaxon Morkin and Canadian long-snapper Lucus Spencer.\u2028
\nAs with every rebuild Dinwiddie knew there would be challenges, but there will be a lot to evaluate once this season is over.
\n\u201cI think we kept the guys that were here in the past that we believed in,\u201d Dinwiddie said. \u201cAnd then we went out in free agency, trying to get some players that we felt could help us.\u201d
\nDinwiddie isn\u2019t throwing in the towel. Mathematically speaking, the Redblacks are only three games out of a playoff spot.
\n\u201cSo, you know, that\u2019s one of the things that we always preach to the guys: the season\u2019s not over,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd then one thing I\u2019m preaching to guys is just you know, find joy in the process. Have fun, just like if you did when you\u2019re a five-year-old kid. Don\u2019t put the pressure of wins and losses with where we\u2019re at in the standings. Just go out there and have fun, do things the right way.\u201d
\nWhile the losses are tough on players, they are just as difficult for someone like Dinwiddie who is accustomed to winning. He won Grey Cup rings in 2022 and 2024 as head coach of the Argonauts and another as quarterback coach of the Calgary Stampeders in 2018. He was the CFL\u2019s coach of the year in 2023.
\nDinwiddie says he has been hearing from a number of friends and mentors in the coaching community. They\u2019ve been watching the games and understand what he\u2019s going through.
\n\u201cYou can just rely on some of their experiences that they\u2019ve been there,\u201d Dinwiddie said. \u201cVeteran coaches that you appreciate for their advice.\u201d
\nReceiver Kalil Pimpleton says it\u2019s up to the players to keep pushing forward despite the long losing streak.
\n\u201cNobody thought that we would be in this position,\u201d said receiver Kalil Pimpleton. \u201cBut again, we\u2019re professionals, and our job is to come in week after week and find ways to get better. Whether we\u2019re eight and zero or zero and eight, we just continue to come in, be professionals, and find ways to get better to win football games.\u201d<\/p>\n