Four Sask. players named to Canada world junior hockey championship team
Dec 14, 2024
Berkly Catton, Brayden Yager, Caden Price and Tanner Howe were all named.
Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Chris Jones is on his way to the NFL.
The team confirmed the news Tuesday evening in an emailed news release.
“We are proud of what Chris came in and accomplished through his three seasons as general manager and head coach,” Riders President and CEO Craig Reynolds said in the release. “His work obviously didn’t go unnoticed and we congratulate him on his opportunity in the National Football League and thank him for his contribution to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.”
TSN’s Dave Naylor reported that the vice-president of football operations and head coach is leaving the club for the Cleveland Browns.
The Canadian Press has also independently confirmed the report.
The future is a bit uncertain for the Roughriders right now, as the club will have to hire a vice-president of football operations, general manager, head coach and defensive coordinator.
“We are fortunate to have many quality football leaders and coaches on our staff. We will evaluate and will look to fill the vacancy quickly,” Reynolds added in the release.
Can confirm that @sskroughriders head coach and GM Chris Jones is leaving the CFL to take a job with the Cleveland Browns. #CFL
— David William Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) January 15, 2019
Apparently, the whole process happened very quickly with Jones, who was interviewed and hired within 48 hours.
Naylor said that Jones will take on the role of Senior Defensive Specialist with Cleveland. Jones knows the Browns new head coach Freddie Kitchens from his time in the NCAA.
Chris Jones is in Cleveland and his interview was this morning. He has a connection to @Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens from when Kitchens was QB at Alabama and Jones was a grad assistant. #CFL
— David William Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) January 15, 2019
Jones joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders late in 2015 as the vice-president of football operations, general manager and head coach, and he steadily improved the team year after year. After a 5-13 rebuilding season in 2016, he doubled the club’s wins the next year and lead the team to its first playoff appearance since 2013.
In 2018, Jones added two more wins to the record and the Roughriders finished the season at 12-6, with a home playoff game.
He also took home the CFL’s Coach of the Year award.
Jones had recently signed a contract extension with the club through the 2020 season.
980 CJME has contacted Jones and the Cleveland Browns for confirmation on his hiring but have not heard back.