Football life comes full circle for newly anointed D-C Mace

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In his first year as Argos head coach, Ryan Dinwiddie had three defensive co-ordinators oversee a defence that was good enough to help put the club in a position to compete for a Grey Cup.

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The Argos fell short when they lost to Hamilton in the East final staged at BMO Field.

Glen Young was the new kid on the defensive block, but his tenure was short-lived because of personal reasons.

Enter the veteran Rich Stubler, who made the calls for a road game in Regina.

Then came Chris Jones.

Jones was destined to return to the sideline as a head coach and he ultimately resurfaced in Edmonton where the Elks added the GM title.

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Dinwiddie then contacted Calgary seeking permission.

The guy Dinwiddie coveted was Corey Mace, a former player in the CFL and NFL who made the seamless transition to defensive line coach with the Stamps.

Mace is now in the midst of transitioning from positional coach to overseeing an entire defence as Toronto’s co-ordinator.

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Dinwiddie and Mace never met, but each became friends and coaching brethren with the Stamps.

Dinwiddie’s first phone conversation with Mace on the D-C vacancy in Toronto was all it took for the two to be reunited.

“It was a no-brainer,’’ said Dinwiddie. “His leadership is key, how he interacts with players, how he runs the room, he’s real professional that way.”

Mace also represents a fresh face, which also appeared to Dinwiddie.

Dinwiddie made the jump to head coach.

He learned along the way, a process Mace is likely to experience.

Mace’s background is along the defensive line, but he knows the importance of meshing the front seven and ensuring the back end is on the same page.

Playing fast, physical and smart are the tenets of any defence.

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Being fundamentally sound when it comes to any area of execution is just as important.

It’s the intangibles Mace is trying to promote and develop as the Argos get ready for their pre-season finale this Friday night when Hamilton visits Guelph.

“Accountability and coming together as a family,’’ said Mace.

Mace finds himself in a new place surrounded by familiar faces he met, and in some cases coached, in Calgary.

When it comes to concepts and having players buy in, that connection, admits Mace, is helpful.

At the same time, Mace concedes, the players unfamiliar with his teachings and approach have stepped up during camp.

What eventually becomes of this unit remains to be seen.

Time and repetition go a long way in helping shape a defence.

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In all three areas beginning along the line of scrimmage, Mace has quality pieces.

Regardless of the style of defence teams run, it begins with pressuring the backfield.

Once the line of scrimmage is won, the defensive fun begins.

The Argos were good last season and didn’t yield a first-half point to the Ticats in the East final, but they were also prone to being undisciplined.

Mace’s defence in Toronto is dotted with veterans.

He sees smart football players who have taken on a role as defacto coaches on the field.

“We’re very pleased with where we are right now when it comes to veteran leadership,’’ said Mace. “We have to keep it going.”

Mace played in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills.

Twice the Argos traded his CFL rights.

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While he’s been geographically close to Toronto and on the team’s radar, this is Mace’s first foray with the Double Blue.

“I think it’s funny how it comes full circle,’’ said Mace, who won a Grey Cup as a player and as an assistant in Calgary. “I know people were joking that I wasn’t going to come again, but I’m here.

“I think everything happened the way it was supposed to. Who knows if things played out differently and I wasn’t here. I’m pleased at how things have went to this point.”

For a young coach, Mace has been around the football block and it’s his mandate to teach and get players to play the right way.

No regular-season games have yet to be played and there’s ample time for Mace to hone in on how games will be called, what in-game adjustments must be made.

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Mace said he didn’t feel nervous last Friday night when the Argos opened the pre-season in Ottawa.

Whether it’s building trust or continuing to create that football family environment, Mace’s job goes beyond the defensive Xs and Os.

“Everything is exciting right now,’’ said Mace. “We’re obviously installing some new things, we’re all piecing it all together, but everyone is excited to get it rolling, specifically this upcoming game against Hamilton.”

VETS IMPRESS

The three biggest veteran acquisitions acquired in free agency were Ja’Gared Davis, Andrew Harris and Brandon Banks.

“He’s been solid,’’ said Dinwiddie of Davis. “The other day he sat in the defensive room with Corey. He interacts so well with the younger guys. He’s been a good addition.”

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Harris has also made a favourable impression.

“He’s been great,’’ added Dinwiddie. “He looks like his old self. He’s sharp. Great leadership, work ethic, he’s rolling right now.”

The coach has been impressed at the way Banks has picked up a new offence.

“Speedy’s been great,’’ added Dinwiddie. “He’s really sharp. We don’t move him around to multiple positions.

“This isn’t an easy offence to learn, but he came in and picked it up. He’s a good football player, but I didn’t know how intelligent he was and for him to pick up the offence this quickly is quite impressive. I’ve never seen anyone do it.”

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