Argos hire Heller as offensive line boss

Toronto Argonauts hired former National Football League lineman Ron Heller as their offensive line coach Friday.

Heller spent 12 seasons in the NFL with Tampa, Philadelphia and Miami, blocking for Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino and such Pro Bowl players as Randall Cunningham and Jim McMahon.

He is reunited with Argos head coach Bart Andrus, who hired Heller as the assistant offensive line coach with NFL Europe's Amsterdam Admirals in 2004.

"Ron is probably the ultimate player's coach at the offensive line because of his experience at the position," Andrus said in a statement.

"He not only creates a great learning environment, but every offensive lineman who has played for coach Heller always says it was the best coaching they ever got."

After his stint in Europe, Heller went to the Tennessee Titans' training camp as an intern before returning to Amsterdam in 2006 as that club's offensive line coach.

The following season, Heller was promoted to offensive co-ordinator and offensive line coach.

"After spending three years with him in Amsterdam, I have found that we are cohesive and think alike," Andrus said. "He may be the only offensive line coach who likes to throw the ball as much as run it, which is conducive to the CFL game."

Heller said he's excited to work with Andrus again.

"He is a great guy to be around — you learn from him when he's not even trying to teach."

Heller, who played college ball at Penn State, was taken in the fourth round of the 1984 NFL draft by Tampa. He was named to the NFL all-rookie team his first season before being dealt to Philadelphia.

After being named the Eagles' offensive MVP by his teammates in 1988 and '89, Heller signed as a free agent with Miami, where he played two seasons before retiring.

Fomer Dolphins coach Don Shula also had praise for Heller.

"I had the opportunity to work with Ron Heller for a few years and he always impressed me with his knowledge of the game," Shula said.

"He is certainly an expert on offensive line play but also knows all of the different positions."