Ottawa Redblacks’ quarterbacks coach Will Arndt is stepping away from coaching to resume his playing career. The original report came from team play-by-play man AJ Jakubec and was subsequently confirmed by Arndt on Twitter.
“I appreciate everyone who showed interest on the coaching side. But I need to bet on myself,” he tweeted late Tuesday.
The 29-year-old played for the Redblacks during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, serving primarily as a backup. He completed 103-of-165 passes for 940 yards, three touchdowns, and six interceptions and went 0-3 as a starter. He signed with the B.C. Lions ahead of the CFL’s cancelled 2020 season but was released in training camp the following year.
Arndt joined the Edmonton Elks as an offensive assistant following his release from the Lions but wasn’t retained when the team cleaned house at the end of the season. He was named Ottawa’s quarterbacks coach in January 2022.
The native of Sandy Hook, Conn. took a unique path to the CFL, first playing in Canada with the Fort McMurray Monarchs of the Alberta Football League. He played at Western Connecticut State University where he finished his college career as the school’s all-time leading passer.
