Mike Benevides: Special Teams Coordinator

Mike returned to the Lions as special teams coordinator in May of 2023 while the 2024 campaign marks his 14th overall with the organization. The club’s special teams were a force last season with Sean Whyte emerging as a CFL All-Star and Western nominee for Most Outstanding Special Teams Player. The Lions also led the CFL with four blocked kicks and allowed only seven big play returns, tied with Hamilton for the fewest amount in the league.

After beginning his CFL coaching career with the Calgary Stampeders from 2000-02, the Toronto native moved with Wally Buono to the West Coast where he first served as special teams coordinator and linebackers coach for five seasons before taking over as defensive coordinator ahead of the 2008 campaign.

His defensive unit produced 11 CFL All-Star selections over three seasons while Cameron Wake took home a second consecutive CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award following Mike’s first year running the unit.

A three-time Grey Cup champion (Calgary in 2001, BC in 2006 and 2011), Mike was promoted to head coach of the Lions following Buono’s retirement ahead of the 2012 season and would compile a regular season record of 33-21 over three years at the helm, his win total putting him in fifth spot on the club’s all-time list.

Following one season as an analyst for the CFL on TSN in 2015, Mike was the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator in Edmonton from 2016-18 and moved to the Ottawa REDBLACKS as defensive coordinator from 2021-22.

Mike resides in New Westminster with his wife Judy and their two daughters.