Mike Benevides
Canadian gridiron football coach (born 1968)
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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]
Benevides with the BC Lions in 2023 | |
| BC Lions | |
|---|---|
| Title | Special teams coordinator |
| Personal information | |
| Born | May 3, 1968 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Career information | |
| College | Bakersfield |
| University | York |
| Career history | |
| 2000 | Calgary Stampeders (Def. asst.) |
| 2001–2002 | Calgary Stampeders (STC/LC) |
| 2003–2007 | BC Lions (STC/LC) |
| 2008–2011 | BC Lions (DC/LC) |
| 2012–2014 | BC Lions (HC) |
| 2016–2017 | Edmonton Eskimos (Asst. HC/DC) |
| 2018 | Edmonton Eskimos (Asst. HC/DC/LC) |
| 2020–2022 | Ottawa Redblacks (DC) |
| 2023–2024 | BC Lions (ST) |
| 2025–present | BC Lions (DC) |
| Awards and highlights | |
| |
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]