LIONS HIRE KHARI JONES *UPDATE WITH AUDIO*
The BC Lions Football Club is pleased to announce that Khari Jones has been named the team’s offensive coordinator.
“Khari is a young, fresh football mind that brings a key combination of significant playing and coaching experience to the role of offensive coordinator,” said head coach Mike Benevides. “After a number of conversations with Khari over the past couple of weeks, I am very excited about his positive approach to the game, the offensive concepts he will bring to our offence and how they will translate on the field.”
Jones joins the Lions coaching staff following a championship season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders where he served in a key role as quarterbacks coach for the past two years helping guide Darian Durant to his first career title run this past November. Durant also led the CFL in TD passes in 2013 and ranked third in quarterback efficiency behind only Ricky Ray and Kevin Glenn.
Prior to his two years in Saskatchewan, Jones was the offensive coordinator in Hamilton in 2011 where he originally began his post-playing and broadcasting career in 2009 as the Tiger-Cats’ quarterbacks coach. Under his guidance in 2010, then-quarterback Kevin Glenn threw for a career-best 5,102 yards and a team-record 33 touchdowns.
“It’s an honour to return to the same organization that gave me an opportunity to play in this great league many years ago,” said Jones. “There is a tremendous nucleus of great offensive players here led by Travis Lulay, who I believe is one of the elite quarterbacks in our league. I’m elated to be working with Mike as well as everyone on the offensive staff and I can’t wait to get started on building a champion in BC.”
Taking on the role of offensive coordinator will be a homecoming of sorts for the former Lions pivot who broke into the CFL in 1997 spending a year on the Leos’ practice roster before dressing as a back-up during the 1998 and 1999 campaigns. Following a trade to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2000, Khari embarked on an outstanding five-year run in Blue and Gold rewriting the Bombers record book and setting several club marks including most completions (382) and passing yards (5,334) in a season as well four consecutive seasons throwing for 3,000 yards or more.
In 2001, he enjoyed his finest season as a pro guiding Winnipeg to a 14-4 regular season record including 12 consecutive wins as well as a Grey Cup appearance while being selected as the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player. Following stops in Calgary (2004) and Hamilton (2005) as well as two training camps with Edmonton, he joined CBC’s CFL broadcast crew in 2006 and before returning to the CFL as a coach, became the Director of Football at National Sports Development based in Calgary.
BC Lions season tickets for 2014 are on sale now – Season ticket holders save up to 27% on the cost of single game tickets and receive first option on their seats for playoffs and the 102nd Grey Cup. Call 604.589.ROAR or visit bclions.com today for more information.
I wish he would have stayed longer here as DD really seemed to flourish under him. Do you think Kerry Joseph will show up somewhere? How about in Riderville?
It's too bad Marcus Crandell moved so quickly to become Ottawa's QB coach.
Oh my god!Now what are we going to do????
The sky is falling in Riderville!
rrs will now go back to the accoustomed loser ways of the past century plus.
I see the trolls are out. Yeah, losing Jones will doom us to last place because what, he was the glue. Seriously stupid people in this world.
Easy to read into your stupid troll opinion that your drinking the loud mouth green soup (liquor). Anonymous courage under the Influence, sh*t winds in the air.
Mr. Lahey
Best of Luck Khari!!
Bill W
B.C. got a good one. I'm glad for Khari he is deserving of the opportunity. Better move then the one to Winnipeg.
Congrats on the Promotion, Khari. Hope to see you in the West Final.
Just a matter of time before a man of his talent ended up as an OC somewhere. All the best.
Riders need to talk to Calvillo…our next QB coach??
The Rock
I doubt Calvillo is open to coaching. As a player he hRed calling his own plays and never got involved in the offensive schemes at all in terms of strategy. He was an infield performer only.
Calvilllo, set, ready to go on his word, whether that Is a continuance of his on field playing career or any other options at the ready, first and formost his Immediate family. The man Is second to none In his game preparations with high Intellectual cerebral vision for success. A Saskatchewan destination In a coaching capacity most likely not as the Montreal Alouettes will surely look after Mr Calvillo and their future franchise Interest for as long as the ownership/management operations stays Intact.
Merci,
Jhon Guy Alouette
Go Montreal Alouettes !
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Coach Chamblin sais yestersay that Cortez will add QB coach to his OC duties. Works for me, Cortez has been a QB coach in the NFL so he definitely has the chops for it. Also confirms that George is most likely back in 2014.
We might lose a couple more assistants – Barron Miles may become DC in Winnipeg and Jason Tucker might return to Edm as WR coach. But if we return our three coordinators I think we still have the best staff in the west, if not the entire league
Good for Khari, he deserves a promotion after the success he's had with Durant (and Willy/Sunseri) over the last couple of years. Still tough to see him go as he's a quality guy. It was awesome seeing him on the replay of the Grey Cup broadcast hoisting the Cup with pure joy on his face. He'd been so close before and to finally win it must have been so rewarding for him. He'll always be a Rider.
Anthony Calvillo is rumored to be heading to work with Mark Trestman after his career is over. It could be in the NFL, CFL or NCAA – depending on whether Trestman sticks or not long term. My guess is Trestman will be grown in Chicago and that he will end up as a long term fit there. If so, look for AC to be OC.
Calvillo as OC in Chicago. Not a chance in hell. Maybe in 10 years after he learns through experience as a coach at various levels.