Longtime CFL coach, personnel man Jim Barker not back with Ticats

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

Longtime CFL coach and personnel man Jim Barker won’t be part of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats moving forward.

Head coach Orlondo Steinauer revealed his coaching staff for the 2021 season, which didn’t include Barker. Steinauer thanked Barker for his work, dedication, and time over the past two years in Hamilton and wished him well in the future.

Barker joined the Ticats as consultant in January 2019 and added the role of offensive assistant prior to training camp that year following the departure of June Jones. He had ties to Steinauer from their time in Toronto, Barker gave the former standout defensive back his first coaching job in the CFL in 2010 with the Argonauts.

The 64-year-old Barker first joined the league as a coach with the Montreal Alouettes in 1996. He’s been head coach of the Argos twice, spent five years with the Calgary Stampeders as head coach, general manager and vice president of player personnel, and was GM in Toronto for seven seasons before being fired after the 2016 campaign.

As a head coach, Barker has a 29-43 win-loss record including 1-2 in the playoffs. He’s compiled a 77-84-1 mark as a GM, 3-5 in the post-season with one CFL title at the helm of a team — 2012 with the Argos.

The Pasadena, California native has been a part of four Grey Cup winers during his time in the CFL.