December 12, 2017

Jones extension keeps winning vision on track in Riderville

Matt Smith/CFL.ca

REGINA — Having Chris Jones stick around for an extra year was important for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in obtaining their ultimate goal: winning a championship.

“We try to win a Grey Cup every year and quite honestly our motto is if we don’t win a Grey Cup it’s a failure,” Jones told members of the media on Tuesday after his one-year extension was announced. “That’s the way we view it and it (the extension) just gives us an opportunity to continue to build what we feel like we’ve got something special going here.”

Jones and the Riders agreed to a one-year extension, meaning he will be the Riders bench boss through the 2019 season. Having Jones continue to be the one calling the shots for the Roughriders was important to president and CEO Craig Reynolds in continuing to build a winning football team.

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Jones will be with the Saskatchewan Roughriders through the 2019 season (The Canadian Press)

“I think continuity is very important so adding another year to Chris’ contract allows him to continue to build this program and obviously I feel we’re building in a very positive way,” he said.

Jones joined the Riders in 2016 and in just two seasons he helped turn the team from 5-13 his first year to 10-8 this season. The Riders also made the playoffs as the crossover team but ultimately lost to the Toronto Argonauts in the Eastern Semi-Final.

While that loss still stings for Jones – he admitted he still wasn’t over losing to the Argos – Reynolds was impressed with the head coach’s process to the quick turnaround.

“I think you see the progression of the team from five wins the first year to doubling that this year, winning the East Semi and really being within a couple plays of going to the Grey Cup,” Reynolds said of the team’s changes under Jones. “Obviously there’s a lot of positives moving forward. Players love playing for him, they love being here, he loves being here. He loves the fan support and the environment. I think it’s an environment where he believes we can be successful.”

“We’ve got great fans. Certainly, they’re very passionate and want to win every game. Where would you rather be other than a place like that?”

Chris Jones

Jones echoed that claim of enjoying the fan support.

“If you went somewhere at a coffee shop and you kinda just over heard somebody talking, you probably heard a conversation talking about our football team,” he said. “That’s what you want as a football coach and as an organization.”

Heading into the 2018 season, Jones and the Riders will be looking to improve on their 2017 season. Hosting a playoff game is on their list – Jones pointed out both teams in the 105th Grey Cup presented by Shaw had home playoff dates.

With things going in the right direction, a team he enjoys working with and a passionate fan base, Jones knew he wanted to remain with the Roughriders.

“We’ve got an organization and a group of folks that really enjoy being around one another,” Jones said. “We’ve got a great staff, they enjoy being around one another. We’ve got great fans. Certainly, they’re very passionate and want to win every game.

“Where would you rather be other than a place like that?”

– With files from Riderville.com