The Saskatchewan Roughriders have put the final pieces in place for their Grey Cup title defence, officially naming Joshua Bell as defensive coordinator while unveiling the club’s full coaching and football operations staff for the 2026 Canadian Football League season.
Bell’s promotion highlights a staff that blends continuity with targeted additions under head coach Corey Mace, as the Roughriders look to build on last season’s championship run rather than reinvent it.
Bell takes over the defensive coordinator role after serving as a key member of Saskatchewan’s defensive brain trust during the 2025 Grey Cup season. Widely respected around the league for his attention to detail and ability to develop young talent, Bell now inherits a unit that was among the CFL’s most consistent during the Riders’ title run.
The defensive side will also feature a notable new face — and a familiar one to Rider Nation.
Micah Johnson, one of the most accomplished interior defensive linemen of his generation, officially transitions from the field to the sideline as Saskatchewan’s defensive line coach. Johnson announced his retirement earlier this week after a 13-year CFL career that included three Grey Cup championships, five All-CFL selections and seven divisional all-star nods.
Another Saskatchewan connection joins the staff with Jeff Stusek being named assistant special teams coach. Stusek brings deep roots in the province, most recently serving as assistant head coach with the University of Regina Rams. He has also guided Team Saskatchewan to back-to-back Football Canada Cup championships and has coached at nearly every level of the game in the province.
Stusek previously served on the Roughriders’ board of directors and was a guest coach at training camp in each of the past two seasons.
Elsewhere on the defensive staff, Jordan Linnen steps into the defensive backs coach role, while Kent Maugeri returns as special teams coordinator.
On offence, continuity remains the theme. Marc Mueller remains offensive coordinator, with Edwin Harrison coaching the offensive line, Marquay McDaniel handling receivers, Andrew Harris overseeing running backs, and Josh Donnelly serving as offensive assistant.
The football operations department remains unchanged, led by Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Jeremy O’Day, alongside assistant general managers Kyle Carson and Paul Jones.
O’Day and Mace are scheduled to address the media on Monday during the CFL Winter Meetings.
