Roughriders extend Chris Jones through 2019 season
Head coach, GM, VP of football ops has 15-21 record in 2 years with CFL team
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have extended the contract of head coach Chris Jones through the 2019 season.
If we don't win a Grey Cup it's a failure.- Chris Jones, Roughriders head coach and GM
"We've got great fans. Certainly they're very passionate and want to win every game and where would you rather be other than a place like that?" said Jones, the head coach, general manager and vice-president of football operations.
The extension offers the team an opportunity to keep building it up, Jones said.
"We try and win a Grey Cup every year, and quite honestly our motto is if we don't win a Grey Cup it's a failure," he said.
The coach noted nobody's expectations of the team are higher than their own. Jones said he expects the team to win every game played, and still isn't over the last loss.
"We've got a bad taste in our mouth and look forward to getting started."
"It was important for our organization to create continuity within our football operations to build on the strong foundation that's been established," said Roughriders CEO Craig Reynolds.
"Chris is a proven winner and has surrounded himself with a valuable support system of experienced individuals. Under their guidance, we look forward to our football team taking the next step on-field."
The Roughriders were 5-13 in Jones' first season at the helm. The team improved to 10-8 last season and finished fourth in the West Division.
The Roughriders beat the Ottawa Redblacks 31-20 in the first round of the playoffs but later lost in the Eastern Division final to the eventual Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts.
Jones, 50, is entering his fifth season as a CFL head coach. His career record is 41-31.
He won the Grey Cup in 2015 with the Edmonton Eskimos.
Riders extend football operations staff
The Riders have also extended the contracts of front office personnel Jeremy O'Day, John Murphy and Mike Davis.
Each signed two-year extensions, keeping them under contract with the Riders through 2019.