Vancouver Sun

JONES EXCITED TO KEEP BUILDING ALS

Newly re-signed head coach provides team with hope, says he likes ‘the path we’re on’

- Hzurkowsky@postmedia.com Twitter.com/HerbZurkow­sky1

As a Canadian Football League quarterbac­k for 11 seasons, Khari Jones was probably used to being a hero one day, reviled the next. And as the B.C. Lions’ offensive coordinato­r, he undoubtedl­y ran into critics who second-guessed his decisions.

But following one successful season as the Alouettes’ interim head coach, Jones can do no wrong. He’s become the CFL’s flavour of the day.

Jones, who isn’t big on social media and avoids reading newspapers, claimed he doesn’t realize how popular he has become. He just knows that on his daily walks home from Olympic Stadium during the season, he was getting recognized more often. And it’s because of the Als’ success.

On Tuesday, an organizati­on that has done so many things wrong over the last few years, did something right — announcing a three-year contract extension for Jones, who led Montreal to a 10-8 record and second place in the East Division. It marked the Als’ first winning record since 2012 and their first playoff appearance since 2014.

“I know the reason they like me is because of the team … what they’re doing. If they like me because the team’s playing well, that’s great,” Jones told the Montreal Gazette by telephone from his home in Surrey, B.C.

“All I wanted was the chance to do this. I wanted a chance to prove I could be a head coach and lead a team,” added Jones, the offensive coordinato­r thrust into this position in June, less than a week before the Als’ regular-season opener.

On top of piloting a rudderless ship that remains without an owner, Jones had to deal with general manager Kavis Reed’s July firing. Somehow, Jones kept it all together while bringing the best out of quarterbac­k Vernon Adams Jr., tailback William Stanback, receiver Eugene Lewis and middle-linebacker Hénoc Muamba, among others.

Jones made profession­al football in Montreal exciting again, providing everyone with hope as the Als, a team with moxie, staged dramatic fourth-quarter comebacks four times. And along the way, his players made the level of admiration they held for Jones abundantly clear.

“I’m just really happy and excited for Khari,” Adams said Tuesday, via text. “I think he’ll help me take my game to the next step. And I’m excited to get this thing going!”

Others, including Lewis, weighed-in on Twitter. “Critical. The man with the game plan,” he wrote. Peter Lenkov, still believed to be part of the new ownership group, succinctly tweeted the hands-clapping emoji, clearly endorsing the move.

Of course, getting Jones to return is only one part of the equation. The Als must hire a new GM, and if that person’s not aligned with the coach, things could quickly self-destruct.

While team president Patrick Boivin recently said Jones would be involved in the process — along with former Lions GM and head coach Wally Buono, who was hired in an advisory role — Jones said on Tuesday he’s not aware what level that involvemen­t will entail. He noted it’s not necessary it be someone with whom he has worked.

“We were pretty unconventi­onal last year, and that didn’t bother me,” Jones said. “I’m totally fine with this. I feel like I’m pretty easy to work with. I just want the right person, the best person for the job.

“I feel comfortabl­e with it. I know that’s a different way of doing things. Knowing they wanted me here and made a commitment, lets me know whoever the GM is … it’s somebody that I can work with in a positive way. I’ll give my two cents. I have (some) ideas. I know it’s a bit different,

To turn things around is one thing. To keep building on that is another. I’m excited about the challenge.

me picking out my boss. I still have a lot of confidence it’s going to work out well.”

But the clock’s ticking. As imperative as it was to re-sign Jones, Boivin and Buono must identify the new GM as quickly as possible. Players need to be re-signed, others must be scouted and a strategy for free agency in February has to be formulated or other organizati­ons will pass the Als.

Much like the players will change during the winter, there will be changes to the coaching staff Jones inherited from former head coach Mike Sherman, despite the importance of continuity in pro sports.

The most vulnerable person appears to be defensive coordinato­r Bob Slowik, whose unit experience­d some growing pains and had no answer — at least through the opening half — for Edmonton quarterbac­k Trevor Harris in the Als’ semifinal playoff loss.

“Maybe there will be a change or two here and there. We’ll see,” said Jones, who refused to commit to Slowik.

The Als were one of the league’s Cinderella stories in 2019. After losing their opening two games, they went 10-6. It was easy to root for the personable Jones, but the honeymoon is over. The Als will no longer catch teams by surprise and they must ensure they’re more than a one-season wonder.

“I like the path we’re on. I know there’s a lot of improvemen­t that can be made overall,” Jones said. “To turn things around is one thing. To keep building on that is another. I’m excited about the challenge.”

 ?? JOHN MAHONEY/FILES ?? Alouettes head coach Khari Jones, left, has a conversati­on with defensive co-ordinator Bob Slowik. The Alouettes announced on Tuesday that Jones, who led Montreal to a 10-8 record, was signed to a three-year contract extension.
JOHN MAHONEY/FILES Alouettes head coach Khari Jones, left, has a conversati­on with defensive co-ordinator Bob Slowik. The Alouettes announced on Tuesday that Jones, who led Montreal to a 10-8 record, was signed to a three-year contract extension.

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