The Ottawa Redblacks named former Toronto Argonauts Head Coach Ryan Dinwiddie as the team’s new Head Coach and General Manager on Wednesday. Dinwiddie signed a three-year contract through the 2028 season. In addition, Vice President of Football Operations Shawn Burke signed a contract extension through the 2028 season.
“We are delighted to welcome Ryan Dinwiddie to our organization as Head Coach and General Manager,” said Redblacks President Adrian Sciarra. “Ryan is a proven winner, with a track record of developing players and leading successful teams. His vision, leadership, and competitiveness make him the right person to partner with Shawn Burke in leading our football club.”
Ryan Dinwiddie is 44 years old and is from Elk Grove, California. He was recently the Head Coach of the Toronto Argonauts. The Toronto Argonauts named him the Head Coach on December 12, 2019. This year, Toronto finished with a 5-13 record, missing the playoffs.
“I’m incredibly excited to join the Ottawa Redblacks as Head Coach and General Manager,” said Dinwiddie. “This is a proud organization with passionate fans and a strong foundation to build on. I’m looking forward to working with Shawn to build our football club and to create a winning culture here in the nation’s capital with the goal of bringing sustained success and a Grey Cup back to Ottawa.”
He concluded his fifth season in Toronto with a record of 51-35, including finishing first in the East Division three times and winning two Grey Cup championships. He was also named the 2023 CFL Coach of the Year.
“Ryan brings a tremendous football mind and a competitive drive that fits perfectly with what we want in Ottawa,” said Redblacks Vice President of Football Operations Shawn Burke. “He’s shown he can get the most out of his players and staff, and we’re confident his experience will have an immediate impact on our organization.”
Dinwiddie signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He spent two seasons on Chicago’s practice squad. In 2005, he played for the Hamburg Sea Devils (NFLE), completing 73 of 155 passes (47.1%) for 934 yards, five touchdowns, seven interceptions, and six carries for 11 yards in ten games. The Sea Devils finished with a 5-5 record.
In 2006, Dinwiddie signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He played three seasons as a backup, completing 121 of 207 passes (58.5%) for 1,581 yards, six touchdowns, nine interceptions, 23 carries for 112 yards, and one touchdown.
Then, he signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2010. He completed 62 of 123 passes (50.4%) for 950 yards, five touchdowns, five interceptions, and 13 carries for 65 yards in two seasons in Saskatchewan. He retired following the 2011 season before starting his coaching career.
Dinwiddie began as an offensive quality control coach for the Montreal Alouettes from 2013 to 2015. Next, he spent three seasons as the Calgary Stampeders quarterback coach from 2016 to 2018. In 2018, the Stampeders won the 106th Grey Cup in Edmonton.
Collegiately, Dinwiddie played four seasons at Boise State (2000-03). He completed 622 of 992 passes (62.7%) for 9,819 yards, 82 touchdowns, 21 interceptions, 197 carries for 105 yards, and 18 touchdowns in 42 games for the Broncos.
He went 28-6 as a starter and led the Broncos to win the Fort Worth Bowl in 2003 and was named MVP. Dinwiddie’s record in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) for career passing efficiency (168.9). That record was broken by the late Colt Brennan in 2007. He is regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in Boise State history.
In 2025, the Ottawa Redblacks finished with a 4-14 record, missing the playoffs in five of the last six seasons. Last month, the team parted ways with Head Coach Bob Dyce, who went 18-39-1. Ottawa’s offense ranked ninth in average points per game (23.3), sixth in net offense (338.5), fifth in opposing net offense (354.6), sixth in rushing yards per game (93.6), fifth in passing yards per game (269.3), and ninth in turnovers (30) with a minus-16.
