By 3DF Staff
We recently released this season’s first CFL Coaches Hot Seat, so when a coach’s seat heats up and a change becomes necessary, teams need to have potential replacements in mind. Now, we introduce this season’s first Coaches Hot Board, showcasing the top candidates to be a head coach.
#1 Anthony Calvillo – Montreal Alouettes
Quietly climbing the coaching Hot Board all the way to No. 1 is one of the greatest quarterbacks the CFL has ever seen, Anthony Calvillo, currently the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator for the Montreal Alouettes.
Great players do not always translate into great coaches, but Calvillo may be an exception. His responsibilities have grown from developing and mentoring quarterbacks, including Davis Alexander, to coaching the entire offence and serving as the play-caller.
Not every successful assistant can duplicate that success with different personnel, but the job Calvillo has done with the Montreal offence deserves to be recognized. He is a legitimate candidate to become a CFL head coach.
Calvillo understands the CFL, knows how to win and is widely respected for his character. The question is whether managing an entire team would be too much for him. Does he even want to be a head coach?
Another question is whether the location of the franchise could be just as important as the fit. I do not see Calvillo taking a job anywhere across the country, considering he has spent nearly 30 years in the province of Quebec.
That is why, when Quebec City expansion team becomes a reality, it could be the ideal fit for Anthony Calvillo.
#2 Marc Mueller – Saskatchewan Roughriders
You could say Regina native Marc Mueller had a career path written for him before it ever began. From the very beginning, he was surrounded by the CFL as the grandson of one of the league’s greatest players, broadcasters and coaches, Ron Lancaster.
Following a collegiate career at the University of Regina and a brief stint with Edmonton in 2011, Mueller built his coaching resume in Calgary as a running backs and quarterbacks coach. Then, in 2024, he came home to Regina to become the Saskatchewan Roughriders offensive coordinator.
Over the last two seasons, Mueller has had the Riders offence humming. He deserves considerable credit for the exceptional play of quarterback Trevor Harris and the production of receivers Kian Schaffer-Baker, Samuel Emilus and KeeSean Johnson. He was also part of the Roughriders 2025 Grey Cup championship coaching staff.
Coach Mueller has the CFL knowledge and proven ability to develop and lead players. What he lacks is head coaching experience, but there is little doubt that an opportunity is waiting for him.
#3 Jordan Maksymic – Edmonton Elks
A former water boy turned CFL coach. Current Edmonton offensive coordinator Jordan Maksymic has carved out quite a CFL path after getting his first opportunity with Edmonton as a water boy, thanks to then coach Tom Higgins, who gave him his first CFL job.
Maksymic eventually moved on to become a video coordinator in Calgary, had a brief stint in the Big Sky Conference at Northern Arizona University, then returned to Edmonton as a video coordinator. From there, he went to Ottawa as an offensive assistant before being promoted to running backs coach, and eventually returned to Edmonton as the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator.
When he surfaced in British Columbia as the Lions offensive coordinator, it quickly became apparent that Maksymic had the tools to be a successful coach. In 2022, with Nathan Rourke at quarterback, it appeared we were watching a generational talent. The exceptional play of Rourke, combined with the Lions’ offence putting up impressive numbers week after week, made it seem almost certain that Maksymic and Rourke were destined to be together for seasons to come.
Unfortunately, that did not happen. The Lions passed on Maksymic for their head coaching vacancy, and he returned to Edmonton in 2025, helping turn the Elks into a dangerous threat in the West Division.
Maksymic likely came close to becoming the head coach in B.C, but the Lions ultimately chose another offensive coordinator, Buck Pierce from Winnipeg. Breaking up the Maksymic-Rourke relationship may have been a mistake.
Down the road, Maksymic is going to have a great opportunity to become a head coach, but his success will surely come down in part to who is playing quarterback. If the B.C job becomes available again, I doubt they will pass on him a second time.