Anthony Calvillo back at helm of Alouettes’ offence


Legendary former quarterback says he’s better prepared in second stint calling plays for team’s QBs.

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Anthony Calvillo has been handed the keys to the car this week. And when it’s returned late Thursday, Danny Maciocia insists he won’t be checking for dents or how much gas remains in the tank.

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Calvillo, the Alouettes’ quarterbacks coach, will call the offensive plays Thursday against Edmonton at Molson Stadium following last week’s firing of head coach Khari Jones, who doubled as Montreal’s offensive coordinator.

Als general manager Maciocia has replaced Jones as the interim coach for the remainder of this season. After meeting with his offensive assistants, Maciocia decided Calvillo, the team’s legendary former quarterback, would call the plays against the Elks, although Maciocia’s initial thought was the role would be filled by Mike Lionello, who coaches the receivers. Lionello has CFL experience with B.C. and Toronto.

Although Maciocia will be wearing a headset during the game and could overrule anything that’s called on offence, defence or special teams, he insisted he won’t be a back-seat offensive assistant.

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“He (Calvillo) has got this and I’m quite confident,” Maciocia said after Tuesday practice. “Collectively, we sat down and talked about it. I also talked to Mike individually. There’s something about coaching the quarterbacks, understanding progressions, reads and concepts. After further conversations and consultations, we came to the conclusion A.C. was the best candidate.”

While Calvillo will be the voice starting quarterback Trevor Harris hears in his helmet speaker, the offensive game plan will be a collaborative effort, with Lionello, André Bolduc (assistant head coach and running backs) and Luc Brodeur-Jourdain (offensive line) having input.

“I’ve been preparing myself since Day 1 like I’ve been calling the plays,” said Calvillo, who returned to the organization this season after being hired by Jones. “I wanted to make sure my mind was in the game. The transition for me won’t change too much. Now that I’m calling the plays, it’s like I’m playing all over again. There’s that extra anxiousness.

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“We’ve built the game plan together,” he added. “I’m going to call what I feel comfortable with based off what we put together. I’m the play caller, but it’s the collective group of us. And it’s the Montreal Alouettes’ offence, one that’s been here for over three years with concepts that are excellent.”

Alouettes quarterbacks coach Anthony Calvillo speaks to Dominique Davis, left, Trevor Harris and Ben Holmes during training camp practice in Trois-Rivières on May 25, 2022.
Alouettes quarterbacks coach Anthony Calvillo speaks to Dominique Davis, left, Trevor Harris and Ben Holmes during training camp practice in Trois-Rivières on May 25, 2022. Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette

While Calvillo spent the final 17 seasons of his career with the Als, beginning in 1998, it was only after Don Matthews became the head coach in 2002 that he started calling his own plays. While Calvillo said he was fine with the decision — and the success of the team couldn’t be disputed — he also didn’t resist relinquishing the responsibility in 2007, when Marcel Bellefeuille became the offensive coordinator on Jim Popp’s staff.

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“There were times I wish I would have gone to the best play possible, especially at the end of a game,” Calvillo said of his play-calling days.

Forced to retire after a concussion in 2013, Calvillo wasted little time launching his coaching career with Montreal in 2015. Hired as the receivers coach, he became the QB coach that August after the firing of head coach Tom Higgins. Then, after Turk Schonert was fired, Calvillo was named co-offensive coordinator with Ryan Dinwiddie.

Calvillo began the following season as the OC, but with Jacques Chapdelaine as his special adviser. After Popp resigned as head coach and Chapdelaine was promoted, he took over play-calling duties. Nonetheless, the inexperienced Calvillo wasn’t prepared at that time. It also didn’t help that the Als struggled and went through a series of quarterbacks.

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Calvillo went to Toronto as quarterbacks coach in 2018 under Marc Trestman then spent three seasons at Université de Montréal, under Maciocia, where he was the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator.

“I know how things were here once upon a time,” Maciocia said. “Maybe a few years ago, it was a little too quick. Coming from playing, retiring, jumping into the coaching ranks and, within a short period of time, asking him to be the OC. I do know when I brought him to the university, he did a great job.

“I think he’s much better prepared, further advanced in his development as a coach and play caller. I’m quite confident he’ll do a great job.”

While the Als are averaging nearly 26 points per game, they’ve produced only six offensive touchdowns while going 1-3. Calvillo wants to see the team improve its second-down conversions along with its red-zone proficiency.

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