Currently a member of the CFL on TSN panel, Jim Barker has fashioned a long and illustrious career in football. Since entering the coaching ranks in 1978, Barker has served in numerous roles – assistant coach, offensive coordinator, head coach, general manager, vice-president, consultant and senior advisor. Barker spent 2022 with the Toronto Argonauts as a senior advisor, a season that culminated with the Boatmen winning the Grey Cup
Barker has been a part of five Grey Cup championship teams, three with the Argonauts (1997, 2012 and 2022), along with one each with the Montreal Alouettes (2002) and the Calgary Stampeders (2008). He was also an assistant coach on the XFL champion Los Angeles Xtreme in 2001.=
Barker enjoys public speaking because it gives him the opportunity to share many of the lessons he’s learned during his football career and his personal life. Being part of EMJ Marketing’s stable of keynote speakers gives him the chance to share his knowledge and insights.
“The first thing I talk about is about what it takes for an individual to be successful, whether it’s in their business or their home lives. I’ve been successful and I’ve also failed so I think there’s a lot I can draw from that. I also want to help people understand leadership and how to empower those who work with you,” said Barker. “That’s a difficult thing, especially when you’re young and moving up and trying to get to the next job or the next spot in your life. The whole key to being a great leader is making the people under you better than you are. The key is understanding leadership. When you do that, you can grow and go on to bigger and better things.”
During his championship runs, Barker worked with a number of quality quarterbacks including Doug Flutie (Toronto), Anthony Calvillo (Montreal), Henry Burris (Calgary) and Tommy Maddox (Los Angeles).
When asked which of his CFL titles was his favourite, Barker mentioned that the first championship is always special but the most indelible victory was in 2012 with Toronto.
“When I took over the team in 2010 (as head coach and vice-president), they were the worst team in the league . . . So when we turned it around and won the Grey Cup in 2012, it was actually cool to be an Argos fan,” said Barker, who was named CFL coach of the year in 2010.
“I still watch the game occasionally just because it was that special.”
Press Release May 5th, 2023
For Immediate Release
Jim Barker’s football journey recently reached another destination when he returned to television as part of the CFL on TSN panel.
Since entering the coaching ranks in 1978, Barker has served in numerous roles – assistant coach, offensive coordinator, head coach, general manager, vice-president, consultant and senior advisor. Barker spent 2022 with the Toronto Argonauts as a senior advisor, a season that culminated with the Boatmen winning the Grey Cup.
During the offseason, an opportunity to rejoin TSN arose and Barker felt it was too good to pass up.
“Jobs have cycles and it just felt like it was the right time to go back to TSN,” said Barker, who worked previously at the network in 2018 and 2022. “I love the people at TSN that I work with and when it was presented, I felt it was the right thing to do. It was the right thing for me and my life at this point.”
Comprised of host Kate Beirness along with analysts Matt Dunigan, Milt Stegall, Davis Sanchez and Barker, the panel has developed a strong following through its mix of football insight and sense of humour. Barker admitted that because of the camaraderie on the set, the panel often doesn’t feel like work.
“We watch the games, constantly talking and laughing all the time,” said Barker. “Our discussions during the game helps shape the broadcasts because we all bring different perspectives to the panel.”
Barker knows what he contributes to the panel.
“I have a lot to bring to the fans that they maybe wouldn’t get otherwise. My experiences are a little different than most and for me, it’s an opportunity to educate and perhaps shed some light on things they haven’t seen.”
Barker has been a part of five Grey Cup championship teams, three with the Argonauts (1997, 2012 and 2022), along with one each with the Montreal Alouettes (2002) and the Calgary Stampeders (2008). He was also an assistant coach on the XFL champion Los Angeles Xtreme in 2001.
When asked which of his CFL titles was his favourite, Barker mentioned that the first championship is always special but the most indelible victory was in 2012 with Toronto.
“When I took over the team in 2010 (as head coach and vice-president), they were the worst team in the league . . . So when we turned it around and won the Grey Cup in 2012, it was actually cool to be an Argos fan,” said Barker, who was named CFL coach of the year in 2010.
“I still watch the game occasionally just because it was that special.”
Barker has also joined the stable of keynote speakers at EMJ Marketing, which provides speakers for corporate functions, charity fundraisers, trade shows, golf tournaments and sports celebrity dinners.
Barker enjoys public speaking because it gives him the opportunity to share many of the lessons he’s learned during his football career and his personal life.
“The first thing I talk about is about what it takes for an individual to be successful, whether it’s in their business or their home lives. I’ve been successful and I’ve also failed so I think there’s a lot I can draw from that.
“I also want to help people understand leadership and how to empower those who work with you. That’s a difficult thing, especially when you’re young and moving up and trying to get to the next job or the next spot in your life. The whole key to being a great leader is making the people under you better than you are. The key is understanding leadership. When you do that, you can grow and go on to bigger and better things.”
