Mike Benevides

Mike Benevides
BC Lions
Benevides with the Lions in 2023
Born: (1968-05-03) May 3, 1968 (age 56)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Career information
Position(s)Special teams coordinator
CollegeBakersfield
UniversityYork
Career history
As coach
2000Calgary Stampeders (Def. asst.)
2001–2002Calgary Stampeders (STC/LC)
2003–2007BC Lions (STC/LC)
2008–2011BC Lions (DC/LC)
2012–2014BC Lions (HC)
2016–2017Edmonton Eskimos (Asst. HC/DC)
2018Edmonton Eskimos (Asst. HC/DC/LC)
2020–2022Ottawa Redblacks (DC)
2023–2024BC Lions (ST)
2025–presentBC Lions (DC)
Career highlights and awards

Mike Benevides (born May 3, 1968) is a professional Canadian football coach who is currently serving as the defensive coordinator for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Benevides was the head coach for the Lions from 2012 though 2014. He has also been the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach for the Edmonton Eskimos and defensive coordinator for the Ottawa Redblacks. He played college football at the defensive tackle position for the Bakersfield College Renegades before transferring to York University to play for the Yeomen.[1]

Professional career

Calgary Stampeders

Benevides began his coaching career with the Calgary Stampeders in 2000 as a defensive assistant.[1] He spent the following two seasons as the Stampeders' special teams and linebackers coach.

BC Lions

Benevides then became the special teams and linebackers coach for the BC Lions in 2003. He was eventually promoted to defensive coordinator and eventually head coach in 2012. Benevides spent three seasons with the Lions as the team's head coach, winning 33 games and losing 21. Under his leadership the Lions made the playoffs each season, but lost every time. Following the 2014 season he was released by the Lions on November 20, 2014.[2]

Edmonton Eskimos

On January 14, 2016, the Edmonton Eskimos named Benevides their assistant head coach and defensive coordinator.[3] On December 7, 2018, the Eskimos released Mike Benevides from his duties.[4]

Ottawa Redblacks

After spending a year working for TSN, Benevides was announced as the defensive coordinator for the Ottawa Redblacks on December 17, 2019.[5] He served in that capacity for two seasons, but was not retained following a coaching change for the 2023 season.[6]

BC Lions (II)

On May 30, 2023, the Lions announced that Benevides had returned to the club as their special teams consultant.[7] On January 2, 2025, it was announced that Benevides had been named the defensive coordinator for the Lions.[8]

CFL coaching record

Team Year Regular season Postseason
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Result
BC 2012 13 5 0 .722 1st in West Division 0 1 Lost in West Final
BC 2013 11 7 0 .611 3rd in West Division 0 1 Lost in West Semi-Final
BC 2014 9 9 0 .500 4th in West Division 0 1 Lost in East Semi-Final
Total 33 21 0 .611 1 Division
Championship		 0 3 0 Grey Cups

References

  1. ^ a b "Buono names coaching staff". cfl.ca. February 2, 2001. Archived from the original on September 11, 2002. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  2. ^ "Mike Benevides fired as B.C. Lions coach". cbc.ca. November 20, 2014. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  3. ^ "Eskimos name Mike Benevides defensive coordinator". CFL.ca. 2016-01-14. Retrieved 2018-12-10.
  4. ^ TSN ca Staff (2018-12-07). "Eskimos part ways with DC Benevides - TSN.ca". TSN. Retrieved 2018-12-10.
  5. ^ "Mike Benevides joins Redblacks coaching staff defensive coordinator". Ottawa Redblacks. December 17, 2019.
  6. ^ "Redblacks name Barron Miles defensive coordinator". Ottawa Redblacks. December 5, 2022.
  7. ^ "Lions Announce Update To Coaching Staff". BC Lions. 2023-05-30. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  8. ^ "Lions Name Eight To 2025 Coaching Staff". BC Lions. January 2, 2025.