The Toronto Argonauts are closing in on both Jim Popp and Marc Trestman, per 3DownNation contributor and SportsNet reporter Arash Madani.
The two were together for five years with the Montreal Alouettes where Popp was the GM for more than 20 years before being fired in November. Trestman joined the club in 2008 and led them to three Grey Cup appearances, including back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010. Montreal went 59-31 with Trestman at the helm, winning the East Division four times.
Trestman left after the 2012 campaign to become the head coach of the Chicago Bears where he went 13-19 before being fired after two seasons. He was most recently the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive co-ordinator but was let go last October. He has a year remaining on his deal.
The Argonauts have been searching for a general manager since firing Jim Barker in January and watching head coach Scott Milanovich leave for the Jacksonville Jaguars shortly after. CEO Michael Copeland was reportedly rebuffed by a number of current and former NFL executives before turning to Popp and Trestman. The team has been operating with 27-year-old assistant general manager Spencer Zimmerman at the helm with support from consultant Tommy Condell, a former Ticats offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator Rich Stubler. With Popp and Trestman taking over – both have extensive CFL experience and connections on both sides of the border – it’s unclear as to what role the current front office staff will play, if any.
Alouettes beat reporter Herb Zurkowsky offers this little nugget…
