Argos officially unveil Popp as GM, Trestman as head coach

The Toronto Argonauts new brain trust is officially ready to get started.

The Argos introduced Jim Popp as general manager and Marc Trestman as head coach Tuesday.

"Together they will lead a new era," CEO Michael Copeland said in an introductory press conference. "With Jim and Marc, we believe we have the strongest front office in the CFL."

They fill the vacancies left after former GM Jim Barker was fired Jan. 24 and head coach Scott Milanovich resigned Jan. 27 to become the Jacksonville Jaguars' quarterbacks coach.

Popp and Trestman reportedly signed three-year contracts, according to Gary Lawless of TSN.

“I am honoured to join a franchise with such a rich history of winning and look forward to doing everything in my power to build on that,” Popp said in a statement. “My first order of business as the Argos’ General Manager was to hire a head coach that will lead us to championships. There is no one more capable than Marc Trestman to bring the Grey Cup back to Toronto. He is a proven winner, and the ultimate leader.”

As GM of the Montreal Alouettes from the team's inception in 1996 to 2016, Popp helped build the team into a three-time Grey Cup champion. In all, Popp led the Alouettes to eight Grey Cup appearances.

Also, Popp won a Grey Cup as GM of the Baltimore Stallions in 1995, the only American franchise to ever win the championship.

The 52-year-old also coached the Alouettes on four occasions, in 2001, 2006-07, 2013, and 2015-16.

Trestman was hired by Popp in December 2007, after being the offensive coordinator at NC State from 2005-06. Prior to coaching at the college level, Trestman spent 17 years in the NFL.

“It’s an absolute privilege to be the head coach of the Toronto Argonauts,” Trestman said. “We have a special opportunity to re-establish a winning culture for this storied franchise. I am humbled by this organization’s history of winning. But most importantly, I am motivated by it. I can’t wait to get started.”

With Montreal, Trestman saw immediate success. In his first season, he took the Als to the Grey Cup, ultimately losing, before winning back-to-back titles in 2009-10. He returned to the NFL after two more seasons in Montreal.

Hired by the Chicago Bears in 2013 as head coach, Trestman was fired after two seasons, following a 13-19 record.

Trestman was the offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens for the past two seasons.

In 2016 under new ownership and playing at BMO Field, the Argonauts finished tied for last with a 5-13 record.