DIRECTING, MOULDING THE TEAM
Murray McCormick introduces the coaches and co-ordinators who are brimming with experience and ideas.
CHRIS JONES
General manager, head coach, vice-president of football operations and defensive co-ordinator: Jones became the 16th general manager and 46th head coach in Saskatchewan Roughriders history when hired on Dec. 7 … Guided the Edmonton Eskimos to a 26-20 win over the Ottawa Redblacks in the 2015 Grey Cup game.
STEPHEN MCADOO
Offensive co-ordinator and assistant head coach: McAdoo joins Riders after spending previous two seasons as the offensive co-ordinator with the Eskimos … McAdoo has 16 seasons of coaching experience … Won Grey Cups in 2012 with Toronto Argonauts and in 2015 with Eskimos. Played two seasons with the CFL’s nowdefunct Shreveport Pirates.
CRAIG DICKENSON
Special teams co-ordinator: Dickenson returns for second stint with Riders after serving as special-teams co-ordinator in 2011 and 2012 … Heading into 14th season as CFL and 11th as special-teams co-ordinator … Won Grey Cups with Calgary Stampeders in 2008 and Eskimos in 2015.
JARIOUS JACKSON
Quarterbacks coach and passing game co-ordinator: Spent 2014 and 2015 with Eskimos as quarterbacks coach and 2013 in the same capacity with B. C. Lions … Jackson spent eight years as a CFL quarterback, including seven seasons with the Lions and one with the Argonauts.
MIKE SCHEPER
Offensive linemen: Returns for second stint with Saskatchewan, where he was defensive line coach in 2009 and 2010 … Spent six of 14 CFL coaching seasons as offensive line coach.
MARKUS HOWELL
Receivers coach: Joins Riders for first year after spending previous five seasons with Blue Bombers as defensive coach, special-teams assistant, linebackers coach and most recently, receivers coach … Played with Blue Bombers, Ottawa Renegades and Stampeders as receiver, defensive back and returner over 11 CFL seasons … Won 2008 Grey Cup with Stampeders. Linebackers coach: Joins Riders after spending 2014 and 2015 seasons with Eskimos as linebackers coach … Has three decades of coaching experience … Spent 15 seasons at Auburn University as linebackers and defensive backs coach.
JASON SHIVERS
Defensive backs coach: Broke into CFL coaching ranks with Argonauts in 2013 … Shivers played two seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and two seasons with the Argos where he collected 175 defensive tackles, 22 special teams tackles, and seven interceptions through 56 career CFL games.
ED PHILION
Defensive line coach: As a player, appeared in 127 regular-season games over seasons as a defensive tackle with Montreal Alouettes … Won the 2002 Grey Cup game as a player with Alouettes and as a coach in 2015 with Eskimos.
CRAIG DAVOREN
Running backs coach and specialteams assistant: Spent 2012 and 2013 seasons with the Argonauts as a defensive assistant and quality control assistant … Won Grey Cups in 2012 with Argonauts and 2015 with Eskimos.