Toronto Argonauts: Bob O’Billovich to Be Inducted into CFL Hall of Fame

Bob O’Billovich, former Toronto Argonauts head coach and GM, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015. Photo credit: www.argonauts.ca

Despite the fact the Toronto Argonauts failed to qualify for the 2014 CFL postseason, the season at least ended on a positive note. Former head coach and GM Bob O’Billovich will be one of seven people inducted into the CFL Hall of Fame:

BREAKING: Dave Dickenson, Leroy Blugh, Eddie Davis, Gene Makowsky, Bob O’Billovich, Larry Reda and Bob Wetenhall to be inducted into @CFHOF. — CFL Official Feed (@CFL) November 29, 2014

O’Billovich will enter the Hall in 2015. He is best remembered in Toronto for ending the Argonauts’ 30-year drought without a Grey Cup, by winning it all in 1983.

The 74-year old also has the distinction of being the Argos winningest coach in franchise history, picking up five division championships along the way. During 11 years at the helm in Toronto, O’Billovich appeared in three Grey Cups and was named CFL coach of the year in 1982 and 1987.

As www.argonauts.ca reported, O’Billovich is even credited with giving Michael Clemons his nickname. Apparently, O’Billovich was observing Argos practice one day in 1989 and said of Clemons ‘that guy moves like a pinball’.

In between his two stints in Toronto, O’Billovich spent three years as GM and coach for the BC Lions, later going on to also hold the GM position for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The Butte, Montana native had previously played for the Ottawa Rough Riders between 1963-67, earning a CFL East All-Star selection in 1965.