Milanovich

MONTREAL — Scott Milanovich knows offense.

The former Butler High quarterback who went on to set school records at the University of Maryland is at it again — this time from the sidelines.

Milanovich, 36, the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach of the Montreal Alouettes, is guiding one of the most proficient attacks in Canadian Football League history.

And he's a Grey Cup champion to boot.

"In terms of my career, this has to rank No. 1," Milanovich said of the CFL title. "Short of winning a Division I national championship or the Super Bowl, the Grey Cup is as good as it gets."

Milanovich is in his third season as an assistant coach in Montreal, his second as offensive coordinator. The Alouettes' offense has taken off under his watch.

Montreal reached the Grey Cup final last year, losing 22-14 to Calgary. This year, the team finished 18-3 and rallied from a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter to nip Saskatchewan, 28-27, in the Grey Cup final.

"We missed a field goal on the final play, but they had too many men on the field, so we were able to kick it again and make it," Milanovich said. "That was pretty crazy."

Montreal quarterback Anthony Calvillo is 37 and is second on the CFL career passing charts with 63,322 yards and 354 touchdowns.

The 16-year veteran has flourished under Milanovich. In the last two seasons, Calvillo has thrown for more than 10,000 yards, 69 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. He was picked off only six times this season.

"If he comes back next year, Anthony will break the CFL all-time passing record," Milanovich said.

Another 37-year-old, slotback Ben Cahoon, led the CFL with 89 receptions this season, good for 1,031 yards. Two other Alouettes receivers had more than 80 receptions and 1,000 yards. Cahoon is the CFL's all-time leading receiver among Canadian-born players.

The CFL plays on a wider field than American football. Teams get only three downs instead of four and can put numerous players in motion at the same time.

"It takes a lot longer to call a play at the line because of all the motioning," Milanovich said. "There's so many variations you can run off of one play. I love it. There's a lot of creativity out there."

Former West Virginia University running back Avon Cobourne rushed for 1,214 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Alouettes this season. He caught 56 passes for another 458 yards.

"With only two downs to get a first down, this is primarily a passing league," Milanovich said. "If you run the ball on first down, you need to get six yards to consider it a successful play."

The Alouettes' championship was celebrated by a ticker-tape parade in downtown Montreal that attracted 250,000 people.

"My wife and kids were there. It was one of the most exciting things I've ever been part of," Milanovich said.

Milanovich plans stay with the Alouettes — for now.

"I would love to coach in the NFL someday," he said. "It's considered to be the best league in all of sports. But breaking in there isn't easy.

"Hey, I love where I'm at," he added. "Another go-round up here is fine with me."