Mike Benevides (born May 3, 1968) is a professional
Canadian football
Canadian football, or simply football, is a Sports in Canada, sport in Canada in which two teams of 12 players each compete on a field long and wide, attempting to advance a Ball (gridiron football), pointed oval-shaped ball into the opposi ...
coach who is currently serving as the
defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator (DC) is a coach responsible for a gridiron football team's defense. Generally, the defensive coordinator, offensive coordinator and special teams coordinator represent the second level of a team's coaching structure, wit ...
for the
BC Lions
The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Lions compete in the West Division (CFL), West Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL), and play their home games at BC Place.
The Lions playe ...
of the
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League (CFL; , LCF) is a Professional gridiron football, professional Canadian football league in Canada. It comprises nine teams divided into two divisions, with four teams in the East Division (CFL), East Division and f ...
(CFL). Benevides was the
head coach
A head coach, senior coach, or manager is a professional responsible for training and developing athletes within a sports team. This role often has a higher public profile and salary than other coaching positions. In some sports, such as associat ...
for the Lions from 2012 though 2014. He has also been the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach for the
Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Elks are a professional Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. The club competes in the Canadian Football League (CFL) as a member of the league's West Division and plays their home games at Commonwealth Stadium. The E ...
and defensive coordinator for the
Ottawa Redblacks
The Ottawa Redblacks (officially stylized as REDBLACKS) (Canadian French, French: ) are a professional Canadian football team based in Ottawa, Ontario. The team plays in the East Division (CFL), East Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL ...
. He played
college football
College football is gridiron football that is played by teams of amateur Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. It was through collegiate competition that gridiron football American football in the United States, firs ...
at the
defensive tackle
A defensive tackle (DT) is a position in American football that typically lines up on the line of scrimmage, opposite one of the Guard (American football), offensive guards; however, he may also line up opposite one of the offensive Tackle (gridir ...
position for the
Bakersfield College Renegades before transferring to
York University
York University (), also known as YorkU or simply YU), is a public university, public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, and it has approximately 53,500 students, 7,000 faculty and staff, ...
to play for the
Yeomen
Yeoman is a noun originally referring either to one who owns and cultivates land or to the middle ranks of servants in an English royal or noble household. The term was first documented in mid-14th-century England. The 14th century witnessed ...
.
Professional career
Calgary Stampeders
Benevides began his coaching career with the
Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are a professional Canadian football team based in Calgary, Alberta. The Stampeders compete in the West Division (CFL), West Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL). The club plays its home games at McMahon Stadium a ...
in
2000
2000 was designated as the International Year for the Culture of Peace and the World Mathematics, Mathematical Year.
Popular culture holds the year 2000 as the first year of the 21st century and the 3rd millennium, because of a tende ...
as a defensive assistant.
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
The BC Lions are a professional Canadian football team based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Lions compete in the West Division (CFL), West Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL), and play their home games at BC Place.
The Lions playe ...
in
2003
2003 was designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Fresh water, Freshwater.
In 2003, a Multi-National Force – Iraq, United States-led coalition 2003 invasion of Iraq, invaded Iraq, starting the Iraq War.
Demographic ...
. He was eventually promoted to defensive coordinator and eventually head coach in
2012
2012 was designated as:
*International Year of Cooperatives
*International Year of Sustainable Energy for All
Events January
*January 4 – The Cicada 3301 internet hunt begins.
* January 12 – Peaceful protests begin in the R ...
. 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.
Edmonton Eskimos
On January 14, 2016, the
Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Elks are a professional Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. The club competes in the Canadian Football League (CFL) as a member of the league's West Division and plays their home games at Commonwealth Stadium. The E ...
named Benevides their assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. On December 7, 2018, the Eskimos released Mike Benevides from his duties.
Ottawa Redblacks
After spending a year working for
TSN, Benevides was announced as the defensive coordinator for the
Ottawa Redblacks
The Ottawa Redblacks (officially stylized as REDBLACKS) (Canadian French, French: ) are a professional Canadian football team based in Ottawa, Ontario. The team plays in the East Division (CFL), East Division of the Canadian Football League (CFL ...
on December 17, 2019. He served in that capacity for two seasons, but was not retained following a coaching change for the
2023 season.
BC Lions (II)
On May 30, 2023, the Lions announced that Benevides had returned to the club as their special teams consultant. On January 2, 2025, it was announced that Benevides had been named the defensive coordinator for the Lions.
CFL coaching record
References
External links
Career Bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Benevides, Mike
1968 births
Living people
BC Lions coaches
Calgary Stampeders coaches
Canadian people of Portuguese descent
Edmonton Elks coaches
Canadian football people from Toronto
Ottawa Redblacks coaches
York University alumni
York Lions football players