Former Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Corey Chamblin has accepted a position with the University of Arkansas as quality control coach, defensive backs.
Chamblin was pursuing coaching opportunities in the United States in order to be closer to his family after leaving the Toronto Argonauts defensive coordinator role prior to the 2018 season – despite signing a two-year contract before the 2017 season to join head coach Marc Trestman and the Argos who won the Grey Cup in November.
The 41-year-old coach turned around the double blue defence that ranked last in points allowed (568), touchdowns allowed (59), rushing majors (19), rushing yards allowed (2,074), yards per rush (5.7), yards per completion (8.7), opponent completion percentage (70.9), red zone chances allowed (62), big plays allowed (rushes 20-plus yards and completions 30-plus yards equaled 52) in 2016.
Compare those numbers to Toronto’s defence in 2017. The Argos ranked first in rushing yards allowed with 1,491 and tied for first (Stampeders) notching 50 sacks and placed top five in points allowed (456), opponent touchdowns (47), passing touchdowns allowed (25), opponent net offence per game (second 329.1), opposition yards per play (6.1), two-and-outs (69), passing yards allowed (4,822), opponent completion percentage (second 64.6) and opponent QB rating (66.6). That was a marked difference on defence under Chamblin even as he incorporated several new faces.
The Birmingham, Alabama native played collegiately at Tennesse Tech University. Chamblin was a defensive back in the NFL from 1999-2004. After retiring, the 40-year-old rose through the ranks in the CFL, becoming a head coach in Saskatchewan in 2012. He led the Riders to a Grey Cup triumph on prairie soil in 2013, earning the franchise just its fourth CFL title since being established in 1910. During three-and-a-half seasons as head coach in Riderville, Chamblin posted a 29-34 regular season record while going 3-2 in the playoffs.
