Jones joins Ticats

Winless through five games and reeling from a humiliating loss last weekend, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats have hired a former NFL head coach to help turn around their fortunes.

The Tiger-Cats added June Jones to their staff on Wednesday, naming him assistant head coach to Kent Austin.

“Absolutely it was my decision,” Austin told reporters. “I was completely for it and I think it will be really good for the organization going forward. His resume speak for itself and he’s going to be a really great fit. Our players are going to respond to him in a really good way, a positive way.”

Jones, 64, has been a head coach at the NCAA level with Southern Methodist University and the University of Hawaii and in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers (interim) and Atlanta Falcons. He’s also been an offensive co-ordinator, quarterbacks coach and wide receivers coach in the NFL.

He has worked at Hawaii and SMU with Ticats defensive coordinator Jeff Reinebold.

Jones (left) has previous CFL experience as well, having played quarterback for the Toronto Argonauts in 1982 and serving as the Ottawa Rough Riders offensive co-ordinator in 1986.

Austin has been under fire this season with the Ticats in last place but the organization is clearly hoping Jones can help him right the ship.

“I’m grateful that he would take on this,” Austin said. “Not everybody would.”

Jones will join the Ticats for Friday’s game in Edmonton against the Eskimos.