Roughriders to name Jones new head coach and GM

The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today they have named Chris Jones vice-president of football operations, general manager, and head coach.

Fans of the Saskatchewan Roughriders are hoping Chris Jones gets a chance to hoist the Grey Cup high again only this time representing the green-and-white and not the green-and-gold of the Edmonton Eskimos.

The Riders have yet to confirm or deny the news.

The Roughriders are expected to hold a news conference Monday to make the official announcement.

“I woke up this morning with a smile on my face”, Jones said.

“Football matters a whole lot down south, and it means a whole lot here, and that hinged a lot on my decision”.

Ed Hervey’s search has begun. I’d better be able to coach football.

Jones took over the head coaching job in Edmonton in 2014 and in just two years took a 4-14 team to the top of the CFL.

Jones was signed for a three-year contract.

Jones was selected a finalist for CFL Coach of the Year following both his seasons with Edmonton. Jones has previous front office experience serving as an assistant GM in Toronto and an assistant director of player personnel in Calgary. After the Alouettes won the Grey Cup in 2002, he was defensive co-ordinator Calgary’s championship-winning team in 2008, and defensive co-ordinator, assistant head coach and assistant GM of Toronto’s Grey Cup team in 2012.

Jones joined the CFL coaching ranks in 2002.