A year away from the coaching racket has rejuvenated Khari Jones, who needed a break from the game in general, and probably the CFL in particular, last season.
But Jones, the former Alouettes head coach hired two weeks ago as quarterbacks coach at the University of British Columbia for the coming season, said he’s not prepared to close the book on a return to the CFL and would welcome another opportunity to guide a team.
“I want to make sure to enjoy and appreciate where I’m at, while trying not to look ahead,” Jones told The Gazette by telephone from his Surrey, B.C., home following his return from a family vacation in Italy. “I just want to be the best coach here at UBC. We’ll see what happens after that. I won’t close the door on becoming a head coach. That was one of my favourite experiences. I hope to get the chance again at some point.”
Jones was the Als’ offensive co-ordinator in 2018, replacing the fired Mike Sherman as head coach on June 8, 2019, less than a week before the start of the regular season. Montreal finished 10-8, making the playoffs for the first time since 2014, but lost the East Division semifinal.
After the 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID-19, the Als went 7-7 in ‘21, again losing the semifinal. With the team at 1-3 the following season, and having not been hired by general manager Danny Maciocia, Jones was fired.
“I’m proud of what we did, proud of the team we had and what we were able to do as a staff,” Jones said, picking his words carefully. “I do feel like we changed the culture and the feel of things. I learned a lot and figured a lot of things out. It turned out how it did. I knew what was happening.
“You know, when you’re the head coach and they have a new owner and GM, it’s what it is.”
Jones, 53, believes he grew as a coach during his time in Montreal, became better and won’t make the same mistakes, having learned from the experience.
“Trust the way I do things, try not to acquiesce and do something that doesn’t feel right, good or bad. You’re going to get hired and fired. If you do the things you feel comfortable with, at least you can feel good (about yourself).”
Jones resurfaced later that 2022 season in Hamilton as a football operations consultant before being hired by Ottawa in 2023 as the offensive co-ordinator and assistant head coach.
The Redblacks struggled, going 4-14 while cycling through numerous quarterbacks, and Jones was fired following the season.
“That was tough only because it didn’t feel like the right fit, for whatever reason,” he said. “I don’t blame anyone but I never felt connected. When they let me go I was OK. I felt like I needed a break after Montreal and going to Hamilton.”
After tending to a childhood friend dying from cancer, Jones took a position this year as a professorat Linfield University in Minnville, Ore. He teaches classes in the School of Business — three days on site, a fourth online — while continuing to dabble in acting when opportunities arise, usually in commercials for U.S.-based health-related medications.
The opportunity with the Thunderbirds came by chance. While Jones and UBC head coach Blake Nill never have worked together, Jones came recommended by Shomari Williams, who played under Jones and now is the Thunderbirds’ special teams and recruiting co-ordinators.
“It just felt like the right thing to do,” Jones said. “I’m really excited about this new challenge. Being able to sleep in my own bed is a big draw and this just felt like the right fit. I didn’t miss coaching all that much and felt like I was where I was supposed to be and got refreshed. Make sure I’m me when I go out there. I feel like I need to be the best version of me. I know I will be now.”
UBC went 5-3 last season before losing 38-33 in the Hardy Cup semifinal to Saskatchewan, 38-33. A condensed season might pose some challenges for Jones, he admitted. But he’s ideally suited for the position, having played QB in the CFL for 11 seasons, capturing the league’s most outstanding player award in 2001. His CFL coaching career began in 2009, shortly after retirement.
“They talk about the CFL season as a marathon. This is a sprint,” he said. “You hit the ground running. Every week you have to make sure you’re not holding anything back.”
Meanwhile, the Als on Monday announced the re-signing of return-specialist James Letcher Jr., who had been a potential free agent.