Lions hire Khari Jones as offensive coordinator
Posted December 23, 2013 4:54 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The BC Lions have hired 2001 CFL MVP Khari Jones as their new offensive coordinator, replacing the departed Jacques Chapdelaine. Jones leaves the Saskatchewan Roughriders after two seasons.
Jones was the Roughriders’ quarterbacks coach, and won a Grey Cup with the team last season. Prior to joining Saskatchewan in 2012, he was the offensive coordinator for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2011. He began coaching in 2009 after retiring from playing in 2007.
The 42-year-old was a premier quarterback in the CFL for many years. He played 11 seasons after breaking into the league with the Lions in 1997. He made his biggest impact as a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, spending 2000-2004 with them.
Jones won the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player award in 2001, leading Winnipeg to a 14-4 record. The Blue Bombers lost to the Calgary Stampeders in the Grey Cup that year.
Jones says it’s a great opportunity that he can’t wait to begin.
“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 [Benevides] as well as everyone on the offensive staff and I can’t wait to get started on building a champion in BC.”
The Lions finished third in the West Division in 2013 with a record of 11-7, and then lost to the Roughriders in the West Semifinal.
