The hidden reason why Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ president of football operations, Orlondo Steinauer, turned down the Toronto Argonauts’ head coaching interview

Orlondo Steinauer has officially declined the opportunity to interview for the vacant head coaching position with the Toronto Argonauts, sources have confirmed.

The 52-year-old spent the past two seasons as Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ president of football operations, having previously served as the team’s head coach for four years. During his time on the sidelines in Steeltown, Steinauer compiled a 39-29 record, captured the East Division title, and was named the CFL’s Coach of the Year in 2019.

A Seattle, Washington native, Steinauer is also a Canadian Football Hall of Fame defensive back, having spent eight seasons as a player with the Argonauts, followed by a three-year stint as Toronto’s defensive backs coach. He additionally played one season with the Ottawa Rough Riders and four with the Tiger-Cats.

The Argonauts struggled in 2025, finishing third in the East Division with a 5-13 record and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

The team ranked seventh in net offence, sixth in net defence, and seventh in turnover differential with minus-eight. Key performers included Spencer Brown, the team’s leading rusher with 314 yards; Dejon Brissett, the leading receiver with 907 yards; and Cameron Judge, the leading tackler with 79 stops. Toronto’s average attendance slipped slightly to 15,109, placing the club ninth in the league.

Hamilton, by contrast, enjoyed a strong 2025 campaign, rebounding from a disappointing previous season to finish first in the East Division with an 11-7 record. The Tiger-Cats narrowly fell to the visiting Montreal Alouettes in the East Final, losing 19-16.

Meanwhile, several candidates have reportedly interviewed for Toronto’s head coaching vacancy, including special teams coordinator Mickey Donovan, quarterbacks coach Mike Miller, co-defensive coordinator Kevin Eiben, receivers coach Pete Costanza, and Ottawa special teams coordinator Rick Campbell. With Steinauer opting to stay in Hamilton, the Argonauts continue their search for a new leader to guide the franchise back to playoff contention.