Argonauts rookie head coach Scott Milanovich not acting like a rookie

Scott Milanovich is spending his first Grey Cup week as a head coach living by the old football adage "act like you've been there before." The Toronto Argonauts coach appeared relaxed and confident the day before his team takes on the Calgary Stampeders.

He can probably thank his five years as an assistant coach in Montreal for that. Under head coach Marc Trestman, Milanovich and the Alouettes went to three Grey Cups during his tenure. So despite this being his first trip as a head coach, he's knows how to handle the demands of the week.

"It's the budgeting of time that was the biggest hurdle," Milanovich said on Saturday. "The first one we were in was in Montreal. We were led to believe to have more time than you do. The next year we went to Calgary and that killed us.

"The experience of being through [Grey Cups], and understanding that there's player awards and breakfasts that you have to go to, the media functions — you just have to budget your time different than you do during the year. To me, that's the biggest comfort — that I've been through it with Marc and I know what to expect."

That comfort also allows him to enjoy the week a little bit. Despite spending most of his time on football matters he has sensed a bit more of an Argos buzz in the city.

"I felt [fan enthusiasm] most during the pep rally. I haven't left the hotel a whole lot. When I have I've seen people in Argos gear. I live downtown so it's something that's new to me. I haven't seen that my first 18 weeks here."

Milanovich's calmness is probably rubbing off on players, too. The Argos have only 12 players on their active roster who have played in a Grey Cup game before. A veteran like Adriano Belli (three Grey Cup appearances) knows how to keep a locker room lose. (And despite being ill most of the week, is still good for a headline-grabbing quote.)

"I think [the players] are relaxed, I think they're anxious, like I am," Milanovich said. "We don't have a team that gets tight. We have too many guys like Belli and Ahmad Carroll running around that aren't going to let that happen. Our guys have done a good job of trying to stay humble, but remaining confident."