The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have hired former CFL fullback Calvin McCarty as their running backs coach, head coach Scott Milanovich confirmed to the media on Tuesday.
The 39-year-old originally retired in March 2021 but returned to the field that season as a member of the Calgary Stampeders. He has since been involved with coaching at the junior and high school levels.
“(Offensive line coach) Mike Gibson has spent a lot of time with him in Edmonton, as well as (general manager) Ed (Hervey), who kind of has intimate knowledge on that,” said head coach Scott Milanovich.
“He’s just a great guy — a 10, 12-year vet of the CFL. He played fullback, played tailback at times, played tight end at times, and has a passion for special teams. There’s so much I think that Calvin has to offer and we were thrilled to be able to get him and have him be a part of our staff.”
McCarty rushed for 1,615 yards on 337 career attempts and made 263 receptions for 2,005 yards over 13 seasons with the Edmonton Football Team and one season with the Stampeders. He scored 30 touchdowns and made 85 career special teams tackles, winning one Grey Cup with Edmonton in 2015.
The native of Muskogee, Okla. was primarily raised in Burnaby, B.C. before stints at Boise State, Reedley College, and Western Washington University. He was a fourth-round pick of the Edmonton Football Team in the 2007 CFL Draft and played 13 seasons with the team through 2019.
The Tiger-Cats announced their new staff under head coach Scott Milanovich last month, though no running backs coach was on the list. Rob Payne served as the team’s running backs coach this past season.
