The B.C. Lions have hired Mike Benevides as a special teams consultant after special teams coordinator Don Yanowsky left the team due to “unexpected family matters.”
“We wish Yano the very best and are thinking about him and his family at this time,” said head coach and co-general manager Rick Campbell in a statement. “We also feel fortunate to add a coach of Mike’s calibre at this time. I know he will be able to fit in and contribute right away.”
Benevides spent the last two seasons serving as the defensive coordinator of the Ottawa Redblacks. In 2022, his unit finished seventh in points allowed, seventh in rushing yards allowed, ninth in passing yards allowed, seventh in takeaways, and second in sacks.
The Toronto native started his CFL coaching career as a defensive assistant with the Calgary Stampeders in 2000. He joined the B.C. Lions as their special teams coordinator and linebackers coach in 2003 and remained with the club for 12 years, eventually working his way up to the role of head coach.
Benevides served three seasons as the head coach in B.C. from 2012 to 2014. The club went 33-21 during those years and made the playoffs in all three seasons. He joined the Edmonton Football Team as their assistant head coach and defensive coordinator in 2016 and served on Edmonton’s coaching staff for three seasons.
The 55-year-old has won three Grey Cups, including one as the special teams coordinator and linebackers coach in Calgary (2001), one as the special teams coordinator and linebackers coach in B.C. (2006), and one as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach of the Lions (2011).
Yanowsky is not expected to return to B.C. this season.
