Riders head coach Dickenson names Shivers as defensive co-ordinator

REGINA — Craig Dickenson has settled on a defensive co-ordinator.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach announced Friday that defensive back coach Jason Shivers has been promoted to the post. He replaces Chris Jones, who resigned as the club’s vice-president of football operations, general manager, head coach and defensive co-ordinator to become an assistant coach with the NFL’s Cleveland Browns.

“I have had the opportunity to work alongside Jason for several years now,” Dickenson said in a statement. “He is a very intelligent coach and communicator.

“He earns the players respect and they feed off his energy and work ethic.”

Shivers is entering his fourth season with Saskatchewan.

“I look forward to continuing to work with this coaching staff and the talented group of players,” Shivers said. “Saskatchewan is a great place to be a coach and I can’t wait to get back to work.”

ARGOS SIGN DARBY, GINGRAS-GAGNON

The Toronto Argonauts resigned American defensive back Alden Darby and Canadian fullback Simon Gingras-Gagnon through the 2020 season.

Darby, 26, registered 63 tackles, two interceptions (returning one for a TD) and also scored on a fumble recovery. The five-foot-11, 195-pound Darby is entering his third season with Toronto after spending time in the NFL with San Diego, Pittsburgh and New Orleans.

The six-foot, 210-pound Gingras-Gagnon appeared in eight games last year, his rookie CFL campaign.

REDBLACKS RE-SIGN KLASSEN

Canadian defensive lineman Michael Klassen signed a twoyear contract extension with the Ottawa Redblacks.

The six-foot-five, 285-pound Calgary native posted career highs in tackles (28) and sacks (four) last season, his first in Ottawa. Previously, Klassen spent time with Montreal and Calgary. In 79 career CFL games, Klassen has 86 tackles and 12 sacks.