Hamilton Tiger-Cats name Orlondo Steinauer as head coach

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have named Orlando Steinauer as their new head coach.

The move is a promotion for Steinauer who served as an assistant under June Jones last season.

Jones has been reassigned to associate coach and offensive coordinator.

“After working closely with Orlondo last season, it was obvious to me that he’s ready to take the next step in his career and become a head coach in the CFL,” said Jones in a news release. “He’s earned this opportunity and the time was now. I made a decision that in order to put our best foot forward and bring a Grey Cup championship back to Hamilton, we needed to keep him here and expand his role. Winning is the most important thing and I’m excited about our great opportunity for success in 2019 with Orlondo returning as head coach.”

Steinauer was a five-time all-star over his 13-year CFL playing career. He first turned to coaching in 2010 as a defensive backs coach with the Toronto Argonauts.

He served four years on Kent Austin’s coaching staff in 2013 to 2016 before spending one year with Fresno State’s defensive coordinator in 2017.

“I want to thank June Jones and the entire Tiger-Cats organization for this opportunity, and believing in me as a man and a football coach,” said Steinauer. “I look forward to building a sustainable model of winning throughout the organization, while in pursuit of winning multiple Grey Cups.”

Steinauer is the 26th head coach in team history.