The Toronto Argonauts are finalizing a contract with Corey Mace to become the team’s defensive coordinator, per sources.
After Chris Jones accepted the general manager and head coach jobs with the Edmonton Elks, the Argos focused on filling the position to lead the defence. Current double blue head coach Ryan Dinwiddie spent four seasons with Mace on the Calgary Stampeders coaching staff.
Prior to joining the Stamps, Mace spent parts of three years (2007-2009) in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills. Since coming north of the border, he’s spent the last 11 seasons with the Stamps, six as a player and five coaching.
The Vancouver native appeared in 40 regular season games with Calgary. The six-foot-three, 294-pound defensive tackle recorded 44 tackles and four sacks and scored two touchdowns — one on a reception as part of the short-yardage unit and one on a fumble recovery. He also played six post-season contests for the Stamps including the 2014 Grey Cup, in which he recorded one sack to help Calgary defeat Hamilton for the CFL title.
Mace won the Stampeders’ 2014 Presidents’ Ring award as voted by teammates for his contributions on and off the field. His work in the community includes spearheading a Christmas turkey and ham drive to benefit local food banks, an initiative he started in 2013.
The 36-year-old has helped develop stars such as Charleston Hughes, Shawn Lemon, Micah Johnson and Mike Rose while his defensive line has been at the top of the league in sacks in three different seasons.
