Argonauts.ca
TORONTO — Word of mouth travels pretty far in the CFL.
An example: It’s been five years since Marc Trestman coached a game on this side of the border; yet two weeks ago, as he was introduced as the Argonauts’ next head coach beneath Toronto’s BMO Field, his immediate presence was obvious.
That name, ‘Trestman’, is stranger to no one around these parts — even if the Argos’ current roster is loaded with players that weren’t even in the pros the last time he coached here.
By hiring Trestman, a very specific message has been sent and received.
“You look at it as a player and know ‘OK, I’ve got to show up with my A game’,” said veteran defensive end Shawn Lemon. “I’ve got to show up and put the work in necessary.”
RELATED
» Argos name Chamblin, Brady to coaching staff
» Same position, new chapter for Marcus Brady
» Sanchez: Expect success with Popp, Trestman
Marc Trestman listens in during his introductory press conference in Toronto (The Canadian Press)
Lemon was in his first year with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2012, which was Trestman’s last season in the league before becoming an NFL head coach. Even from a distance he remembers Trestman’s impact on the Als.
“He’s a very detailed guy – ‘this is your job’,” said Lemon. “He wants you to do your job, he’s going to hold you accountable for that.”
It’s not that Scott Milanovich wasn’t like that during his five seasons in Toronto. The Argos’ previous head coach also ran a tight ship, by all accounts, which makes sense considering he developed under Trestman himself.
After a five-win season, however, change can create a spark. Trestman, currently fourth all-time in winning percentage among coaches (.656), carries more than just the weight of his name.
“He’s going to demand excellence right away from the players, from the coaches,” said Marcus Brady, who spent four years under Trestman as an assistant in Montreal. “He’s going to have high expectations for everybody. Just his presence alone is going to help.”
The Argos announced on Tuesday that Brady will resume his role as offensive coordinator in 2017, making him an important figure in the team’s transition from Milanovich to Trestman. No one can compare the two like him.
“As far as differences, they’re very similar,” said Brady. “Different personalities, but even if it’s very similar, it’s always good just to have a different voice.
“The players are going to be hearing a different voice this year and that alone can help change the culture.”
Marcus Brady will be reunited with Marc Trestman, returning as the Argos’ offensive coordinator (Argonauts.ca)
Lemon predicts some young Argos could be in for a shock. Trestman has a reputation for a no-nonsense, down-to-business approach unlike any coach around.
Llevi Noel, a sophomore receiver who’s built his career thus far on outstanding special teams play, says he welcomes that workmanlike attitude.
“It’s exactly what we needed right now,” said Noel. “When you have people coming in that won’t take bullshit and if you knuckle down and get the job done, you kind of pick up that attitude as well.
“If everyone adopts that attitude and that culture, it creates a winning attitude throughout the team.”
Suffice to say, not everyone on the Argos has played for Trestman — but everyone’s heard something about him.
Van Zeyl, Trestman come full circle
While Brady has coached under Trestman, veteran offensive tackle Chris Van Zeyl has actually played under the veteran coach. His experience, however, is a little hazier.
The 33-year-old Fonthill, Ont. native was drafted by Jim Popp in 2007 — then asked to switch positions by Marc Trestman.
“He came up to me in training camp and asked me to play offensive line,” recalled Van Zeyl. “I started out as a defensive lineman. It’s really neat to have both of them here and it’s kind of strange in the same sense because I started my career with these guys.
“It was kind of one of those things where everything’s come full circle for me.”
Chris Van Zeyl opted to stay with the Argos just before free agency in February (Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca)
Van Zeyl, of course, is excited to have Popp and Trestman, two proven winners, navigate an Argos team looking for direction. Nine years ago those waters weren’t as calm, particularly as it pertains to the position change.
“To be honest with you, it was really tough at first,” he said. “Mentally I was contemplating whether it was something . . . ” he stopped himself. “I still wanted to play football but there are a lot of things going through your mind when you’ve got to basically start from scratch.”
Van Zeyl was released by the Als midway through 2008 without ever getting on the field. Now, a month after signing a three-year contract extension with Toronto — before the Argos even brought in Popp and Trestman — the 11-year veteran appears rejuvenated.
“I’m happy to be in Toronto, I couldn’t see myself anywhere else,” said Van Zeyl. “At the end of the day, with all the new changes that they made this year, the way things have been built and now with the addition of these two incredible leaders, I think we’re moving in the right direction and it brings a lot of excitement – especially for myself.”
