LAWLESS: RIDERS TO SPEAK WITH JONES
In the latest development of the CFL’s top story this off-season, TSN’s Gary Lawless reported Tuesday evening that the Saskatchewan Roughriders have asked for, and received, permission to speak with Edmonton Eskimos Head Coach Chris Jones about their vacant General Manager and Head Coaching positions.
Jones most-recently led Edmonton to a 26-20 Grey Cup victory Ottawa Sunday night at Winnipeg’s Investors Group Field in just his second season in charge of the Eskimos. He was also a finalist for Coach of the Year in 2015.
According to the Edmonton Sun, Roughriders President Craig Reynolds received permission from Eskimos President Len Rhodes to approach Jones. Reynolds said this week the club is still on track for an announcement in mid-December regarding the club’s next General Manager. That could well be Jones. Here’s his bio from Wikipedia:
– Chris Jones (born September 25, 1967) is the head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL).[1] He has been the defensive coordinator for the Montreal Alouettes, Calgary Stampeders, and Toronto Argonauts of the CFL.
Born in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, Jones played college football for the University of Tennessee but did not excel as a player. Instead, he began focusing on a coaching career.
Jones began coaching NCAA football at Tennessee Tech University in 1995, where he served as assistant coach for one year. He later transferred to the University of Alabama and the University of Tennessee before rejoining Tennessee Tech in 1999 as a defensive coordinator.
Jones moved to the CFL in 2002 after being named the new defensive line coach of the Montreal Alouettes and remained there until 2007. In 2008, he was named defensive coordinator of the Calgary Stampeders, who won the 96th Grey Cup, and was promoted to Assistant Coach in 2010. He later joined the Toronto Argonauts as Defensive Coordinator and was part of the team that won the 100th Grey Cup.
Jones was named Edmonton Eskimos Head Coach in November 2013. After a 12-6 season, he was nominated for Coach of the Year.
This really bothers me as I loved Jones as my Eskimos coach
So eventually Lawless will be proven correct through process of elimination because he named every single executive, assistant coach, athletic trainer, equipment manager and bottle washer in the CFL as potential candidates for the Riders GM/HC. Does the man just throw darts at a wall full of post it notes with random names scribbled on them?
I have a feeling nothing is going to come of this
Chris, please sign on the dotted line. Then we don't have to face my worst nightmare and that's O'Day being anointed just because the Regina media like him as a person. But Chris, please make Rod Pedersen squirm a bit at your news conference just because he was actively campaigning for O'Day.
Coach Jones and former Rider coach Chamblin are close, so maybe we will see him hire Chamblin as the Rider Defensive Co-ordinator. It would also help reduce salary costs for our Riders.
Hell yeah !!!!!!!
no to Jones – yuck!!!!!!!
Anon #4 Re: Pedersen Squirm…. Get a life whoever the Hell you are with a sickening statement like that . Rod Pedersen does nothing but "Good" for the Sask. Riders, and fans who enjoy his daily columns except for a few assholes like yourself. If O'Day gets hired do you think for one minute it will be just because Pedersen wants it that way ? Rod probably has forgotten more about Football than you will ever know. Keep up the Good Work Rod, as most of us enjoy your daily comments, and when a new Coach/GM gets hired we won't… Read more »
It is sick isn't it? Unfortunately that's what you get with a lot of these guys.
While I realize the irony of posting this anonymously, I really would wish these gutless troll cowards were forced to post their stupidity using their real names. It would be too much of a risk that freaks like poster 4 would cyber stalk you though.
It's not the fault of anyone in the media in Regina. They have to cover their a55es. If they incur the rather of the new GM by speaking out against him, and get froze out by the team, they're pretty much out of a job as a sports writer. What else are they gonna do? You can't cover the Pats full-time.
Jones is gonna listen to the offer but probably not going to the Riders. Heck Clueless could start a rumour that George Strait & Clint Black have approached the Riders about buying the club and getting their logo to be the biggest selling team sport memorabilia in Texas, big deal. We end up with O'Day in the end, that's not as bad a deal as the phony Rider fan posters think. They may have a couple other people to talk with about the position but had to wait for this to play out. The guy hasn't even had a chance… Read more »
600K to be Coach & GM?? YEP! Sign me up. How does he not take that position.
Jones, Murphy, Sunderland, O'Day….some great candidates for the GM position and probably couldn't go wrong with any of them, though some are better than others.
Jones will be running the riders next year. good for him and the league.
No to O'Day!
I certainly agree about Rod. I check his blog first thing in the morning and several times during day to see if there is any new news. Keep up the good work.
Much to the chagrin of many people including some Eskimo fans and broadcaster, this may well happen. Who did the Eskimos get Jones from? Oh ya..Toronto by way of Calgary! The truth be told these guys (players and coaches) usually follow the money. There isn't much loyalty in the CFL or any other pro sport. If it's for real and Riders actually want him, then he could have a real coup here. Firstly he gets to run his own team and build his resume, leading possibly to an NFL job down the road shortly. Additionally he gets to make a… Read more »
Wally Bouno back as BC Lions head coach, Jeff Tedford resigns. Roughriders stuck in the CFL West Division for the foreseeable future if they don't get their act together. Sign Chris Jones gm/hc asap!
Very Lawless
The guy who constantly posts about his opposition to O'Day just needs to take a break and get a life. What a fool! It matters not what he or me or anyone else thinks. The Riders will hire who they think is the best person going forward.
I hope Tiger Williams is coming back to the Sports Cage for his Wednesday Tiger Tales.
Jones could run and coach his own show, build his resume, get to be a part of the new stadium and fans that care, and get at least a 100% pay raise. If he didn't want the job or didn't take it, one would need to seriously question his mental state.
If he comes(Jones) how long will he stay. This guys track record for setting down roots is not good. We will be looking again in 2 years maybe 3 max. Is it worth it. Jury is out.