Parting ways in professional sports is often messy but that doesn’t appear to be the case in the nation’s capital when it comes to their former defensive coordinator.
Mike Benevides posted a long, heartfelt message on Twitter on Wednesday morning thanking the fans in Ottawa for their support over the last two seasons. It was announced last week that Barron Miles would be taking over the team’s defensive coordinator after head coach Bob Dyce had his interim tag removed by general manager Shawn Burke.
Benevides was hired by the Redblacks in December 2019, serving as their defensive coordinator for two seasons. The Redblacks ranked eighth league-wide this past season with 25.1 offensive points allowed per game and ninth with 363.4 net offensive yards allowed per game.
“One helluva coach even greater person and friend!” tweeted defensive end Lorenzo Mauldin IV, who was named the league’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player this past year. “We shall cross paths again one day boss man, whether it together or across from each other! Love ya king, on to conquer greater things!”
Benevides has been coaching in the CFL for over two decades, including a three-year stint as the head coach of the B.C. Lions from 2012 to 2014. The club went 33-21 during his tenure and finished atop the West Division standings in 2012, though they were upset in the West Final by the Calgary Stampeders.
The Toronto native has since served as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator over the Edmonton Elks and as an analyst for TSN.
