The Toronto Varsity Blues have parted ways with head coach Greg Marshall after five seasons at the helm, the university announced on Thursday.
The 67-year-old was hired as the 26th head coach of the Varsity Blues ahead of the 2018 season, posting an 11-27 regular-season record. The team made the playoffs in back-to-back campaigns in 2021 and 2022 but suffered first-round exits on both occasions, before missing the postseason with a 2-6 finish in 2023.
Defensive coordinator Bob Mullen and recruiting coordinator Joe Cappiello will take over interim leadership of the team while a national head coaching search takes place. Offensive coordinator Joe D’Amore stepped down at the conclusion of his contract earlier this month.
Marshall began his coaching career with the semi-pro Ottawa Bootleggers in 1990, before spending the next three seasons as head coach of the CJFL’s Ottawa Sooners. He jumped to the CFL in 1994, serving as a defensive coordinator with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Edmonton Football Team, Ottawa Renegades, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
In 2011, Marshall returned to Saskatchewan as head coach of the Riders, taking over for Ken Miller. He lasted just eight games and was fired following a 1-7 start to the season. After another brief stint in Edmonton, he was hired as the defensive coordinator of the Queen’s Golden Gaels, where he served for four seasons until earning the top job in Toronto.
The native of Beverly, Mass. was an outstanding defensive end prior to his coaching career, spending nine seasons with the Ottawa Rough Rider. He amassed 71 sacks and 12 fumble recoveries in 120 CFL games, twice earning CFL all-star honours and winning Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 1983.
