The Montreal Alouettes announced on Tuesday that Khari Jones has signed a new deal with the organization and will remain the team’s head coach for at least the next three seasons. He will also continue to act as offensive coordinator.
Jones, 48, just completed his first season at the helm of the Alouettes, leading the team to a 10-8 record, which was Montreal’s first winning season since 2012 and marked a first playoff appearance since 2014. In addition, he was selected as the coach to the 2019 CFL Player’s Association’s All-Star Team.
“Khari’s nomination in June had a unifying effect on our entire team, which was palpable throughout the city and accross Quebec,” declared Alouettes President and CEO Patrick Boivin. “The team’s performances that followed, as well as the way the guys played for each other were flagrant signs that we already had the man of the situation on the job. We are more than happy to make sure that he will be able to continue the work that was started.”
Jones, who was also the team’s Offensive Coordinator and Quarterback Coach, was in his second season with the Alouettes. He has worked closely with the team’s young quarterbacks and has allowed them to develop. Vernon Adams Jr. came into his own under Jones, completing 283 of 431 passes for 3,942 and 24 touchdown passes in 16 games this season.
“I am happy and excited to stay on board as the Alouettes Head Coach. I think that everyone in this organization and this city will agree with me that we have some unfinished business that we need take care of,” said Jones. “I love this team and I love this city. We created some strong ties this past year and I expect that we will live many more special moments together for years to come.”
On top of rallying the team in the locker room, Jones also balanced the team’s offence, as it finished the last season in second place in the CFL with 2,236 rushing yards, which includes William Stanback‘s 1,048 rushing yards. Receiver Eugene Lewis also reached the 1,000-yard plateau under Jones as he caught 72 passes for 1,133 yards in 2019. Receiver Jake Wieneke was up for Most Outstanding Rookie in the CFL with 41 receptions for gains of 569 yards and eight touchdowns.
Jones started his coaching career in 2009 with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, where he led the quarterbacks in his first two seasons before being promoted to Offensive Coordinator the following year. In 2012 and 2013, he coached the Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterbacks, helping his team win the Grey Cup in his second year. The 48-year-old Hammond, IN native enjoyed an 11-season career as a CFL quarterback, playing for the BC Lions, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Calgary Stampeders, Edmonton Eskimos and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
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