Roughriders hire Chris Jones as new head coach, GM

It's official football coach Chris Jones, who recently led the Edmonton Eskimos to a Grey Cup championship, is joining the Saskatchewan Roughriders as general manager,head coach, andvice-president of football operations.

The Riders made the announcement Monday.

"Quite simply, Chris Jones is a winner," said team president Craig Reynolds.

Jones, who's from Tennessee, said he's excited to be in a community with such strong support for football.

"I woke up this morning with a smile on my face," Jones said. "Football matters a whole lot down south and it matters a whole lot here."

Jones was signed for a three-year contract. Salary details were not disclosed.

"You come and you play games here, you see all the fans and it doesn't really matter what their record is,they're going to have people in the stands," Jones said.

The Regina-based CFL club had been searching for new leadership after head coach Corey Chamblin and general manager Brendan Taman were fired in August in what had been a winless season to that point.

There had been considerable speculation in recent weeks that Saskatchewan had been seeking Jones. As recently as last week officials with the Regina-based club were avoiding any questions about hiring plans.

Asked why he decided to leave the Eskimos after leading them to a Grey Cup victory last month, Jones said it was a chanceto build his own team.

"It's an opportunity for me and the staff to put together the program from the ground up. And that's something that is very attractive."

Good people No. 1 priority

The arrival of Jones has expectations for the last place Riders sky-rocketing overnight. But the Riders 46th head coach in team history would notmake aprophecy on the team's future.

"I'm not going to sit here and make any bold predictions or anything like that. I can tell you we're going to put a really high quality, high character staff together that enjoys being around each other. We're going to bring in good people first that happen to be good football players."

As for taking on the additional role of general manager, Jones said he's had a lot of great mentorsover the years.

"Likeanything, there's always going to be things you have to learn as you go. But certainly I had the good fortune of being around [Toronto Argonauts GM]Jim Barker, who is a very highly respected personnel guy in this league. [EdmontonDirector of PlayerPersonnel]Paul Jones certainly. So I will follow their lead. [Calgary GM]John HuflagelI learned a ton from Huff when I was over there as far as organization is concerned. I feel like I'm well prepared."

Jones said he will also be acting as defensive co-ordinatorfor the time being.

In Edmonton, fans reacted to the departure of their head coach:

Eskimos fans react to Chris Jones departure

9 years ago

Duration 1:00

Local football fans remain optimistic about the Eskimos despite Chris Jones going to Saskatchewan

Future of Jeremy O'Day uncertain

The arrival of Jones leaves some asking whether former interim general mamagerJeremy O'Day will remain with the club in any capacity.

O'Dayhas spent the past 16 years with the Roughriders as both a player and an administrator.

Reynolds said he spoketo O'Dayon Sunday.

"Obviously, he was interested in this role. He was disappointed, I would say, but he also understood the decision," Reynolds said.

Jones said he would meet with O'Day in the coming days.

"Jeremy has been very successful at a lot of different levels in this league, certainly as a player and administration.So he and I will get an opportunity to speak in the next few days and then I'll see exactly what I feel like his talents bring and then we'll move forward."