John Hufnagel has officially said goodbye to the Calgary Stampeders after 18 years with the franchise.
The 74-year-old was formally named a senior advisor to the head coach and general manager with the Toronto Argonauts on Thursday, a move that was first reported on Tuesday.
“It’s bittersweet to be parting ways with the Calgary Stampeders, but at the same time, I’m excited by the new opportunity that lies ahead,” Hufnagel wrote in a statement. “I’m very proud of what we accomplished in Calgary since my return to the organization in 2008, and I sincerely thank everyone who helped make that happen. I also thank Stampeders fans for always making me feel welcome and for their friendship over the years.”
Hufnagel has been with the Stampeders since 2008, when he was introduced as their head coach and general manager following a nine-year stint in the NFL. Hufnagel served in both roles for eight seasons, posting a 102-41-1 regular-season record with two Grey Cup victories and two Coach of the Year awards. He relinquished head coaching duties after the 2015 season to take on the role of president.
Hufnagel remained the team’s general manager and president until 2022, when he gave up the former title to head coach Dave Dickenson. The Stampeders went 175-70-3 while Hufnagel held the title of general manager, winning three Grey Cups. He remained the team’s president through the 2023 season, after which he became a special advisor.
“The Calgary Stampeders organization – and that very much includes myself – has been very fortunate to benefit from Huff’s wisdom and leadership,” Dickenson said in his own statement. “I was hoping he would remain with the club, but I respect his decision to pursue a new challenge, and we wish him the best of luck. I know our fans join us in thanking Huff for everything he accomplished over the past 18 years and for the remarkable legacy he created.”
Hufnagel played 12 seasons at quarterback in the CFL from 1976 to 1987 as a member of the Stampeders, Saskatchewan Roughriders, and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He then spent eight years coaching in the league, including a seven-year stint with Calgary, before departing for the New Jersey River Dogs of the Arena Football League.
The native of Coraopolis, Pa., got his first NFL coaching job with the Cleveland Browns in 1999, serving as their quarterbacks coach. He later held the same position with the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New England Patriots before serving as the offensive coordinator of the New York Giants from 2004 to 2006. He won Super Bowl XXXVIII with the Patriots.
Hufnagel will now assist first-time head coach Mike Miller and general manager Pinball Clemons with their rebuild of Toronto. John Murphy, the Argos’ current assistant general manager, worked under Hufnagel in Calgary for many years, serving as the team’s director of scouting, director of player personnel, and assistant general manager during that period of time.
“A legend is entering the building! John Hufnagel is one of the most respected and revered people in our game today and defines the meaning of ‘Hall of Famer’, as one of the few who can call himself both a Grey Cup and Super Bowl champion,” Clemons said as part of the announcement.
“A leader and a winner, John will mentor both the Head Coach and General Manager in his role as Senior Advisor, representing the team in league meetings, preparing for the combine, draft, pre-game preparations, post-game analysis and any additional needs that a football season might require. We will all benefit from John’s wealth of experience, wisdom and championship mentality.”
The Toronto Argonauts finished third in the East Division standings in 2025 with a 5-13 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Franchise quarterback Chad Kelly was unable to play all season due to a fractured leg he suffered in the East Final the previous year, giving way to Nick Arbuckle, who threw for 4,370 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions to be named the team’s candidate for Most Outstanding Player.
The Argonauts ranked seventh in net offence, sixth in net defence, and seventh with a turnover differential of minus-eight. The club’s leading rusher was Spencer Brown with 314 yards, the leading receiver was Dejon Brissett with 907 yards, and the leading tackler was Cameron Judge with 79 tackles. Toronto ranked ninth in attendance with average crowds of 15,109, which was a 0.1 percent decrease from the previous year.
