EDMONTON – The majority of the Edmonton Eskimos’ coaching staff has been solidified for the upcoming season.
The organization announced seven coaches will join head coach Jason Maas:
- Mike Benevides, defensive coordinator and assistant head coach
- Mike Gibson, offensive line and run game coordinator
- Cory McDiarmid, special teams coordinator
- Casey Creehan, defensive line coach
- Barron Miles, defensive backs coach and player development
- Tim Prinsen, running backs coach
- Jordan Maksymic quarterbacks coach
Maas said it was challenging to assemble his staff but very satisfying now that it’s in place.
“I feel that they’ve exceeded my expectations for what we have. I’m very confident in the staff we’ve assembled,” Maas said.
Benevides brings 15 years of CFL coaching experience. During his time in the league, he’s been a member of three Grey Cup teams, one in Calgary and two in B.C. Benevides is expected to be an important member of the staff as Maas enters his first year as head coach.
“The best thing that ever happened to me is my wife and she was born here. There’s ties here from a family perspective and that’s important to me,” Benevides said.
“But really it’s about winning, and everything here is about winning. It just gives you a great opportunity and choice and privilege to be part of something great.”
In December, Jason Maas was named the Esks new head coach after Chris Jones left the job to take over as head coach, general manager and vice-president of football operations of the Saskatchewan Roughriders following Edmonton’s Grey Cup victory in November.
READ MORE: Former Edmonton Eskimos QB Jason Maas named new head coach
Maas spent last season as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach with the Ottawa RedBlacks.
He was also a receivers coach in 2011 and quarterbacks coach from 2012 to 2014 with the Toronto Argonauts.
Maas spent nine seasons as a quarterback with the Green and Gold, when he was named the Eskimos Most Outstanding Player in 2001 and 2004 and was a member of two Grey Cup winning teams in 2003 and 2005.
Hiring the coaching staff was about more than football, Maas said.
“I want a family atmosphere with all my coaches. I want guys that we can go do things together. We enjoy our company. I don’t want a staff that’s here just to work and do football and that’s it.”
The team still needs to fill the positions of linebackers and receivers coaches.