Breaking News: The Toronto Argonauts have appointed 69-year-old coach and CFL panelist as their director of player personnel

Toronto Argonauts Rehire Jim Barker as Director of Player Personnel

The Toronto Argonauts have officially appointed Jim Barker as their new director of player personnel, marking his fourth tenure with the club.

“Coming back to the Argos feels like coming home,” Barker said in Monday’s announcement. “This organization means a great deal to me, and I’m excited for the opportunity to help guide it forward. We have the pieces to accomplish something special and I’m eager to get to work.”

A Familiar Face Returns

The 69-year-old last worked with Toronto in 2022 as a senior advisor after the suspension of vice president of player personnel John Murphy. Barker stepped down the following year to join the CFL on TSN panel, though he did not appear on broadcasts throughout the 2025 season.

This is only the latest chapter in Barker’s long history with the Argos, which includes roles as:

• Offensive Coordinator: 1997–1998

• Head Coach: 1999, 2010–2011

• General Manager: 2011–2016

He earned CFL Coach of the Year in 2010, has won three Grey Cups with Toronto, and five overall across his CFL career.

A Deep CFL Résumé

Beyond Toronto, Barker has served as:

• Football operations consultant with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats

• Assistant coach with the Montreal Alouettes

• Head coach and GM of the Calgary Stampeders

He holds a 29–43 career coaching record and a 77–84–1 record as a general manager.

Argos Restructuring Continues

The Argonauts recently added longtime Stampeders icon John Hufnagel as a senior advisor to head coach Mike Miller and GM Pinball Clemons. Barker and Hufnagel are no strangers — the two worked together in Calgary for five seasons, capturing a Grey Cup in 2008.

Toronto’s 2025 Season in Review

Toronto finished third in the East Division in 2025 with a 5–13 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019. The team played the entire season without star quarterback Chad Kelly, who fractured his leg in the 2024 East Final.

Backup Nick Arbuckle stepped in admirably, posting:

• 4,370 passing yards

• 26 touchdowns

• 15 interceptions

• Team nominee for Most Outstanding Player

Key team leaders included:

• Spencer Brown — leading rusher (314 yards)

• Dejon Brissett — leading receiver (907 yards)

• Cameron Judge — leading tackler (79 tackles)

Toronto ranked ninth in league attendance with an average of 15,109 fans, a slight 0.1% decline from 2024.