Edmonton Elks, head coach Chris Jones part ways

General Manager and Head Coach Chris Jones’ tenure with the Edmonton Elks has come to an end.

The football franchise announced on social media Monday afternoon that both sides agreed to part ways.

“Chris worked extremely hard to improve our football team over the last several seasons and we thank him for that,” Elks President and CEO Rick LeLacheur said.

“There’s no question we’re a better team today than we were the previous two seasons, but ultimately this is a results-based business and the wins haven’t materialized.

“It’s always difficult to make changes of this significance during the season, but we owe it to everyone within the organization and to all our fans to hold people accountable when we fall short. There’s plenty of season remaining and we expect to see Geroy and Jarious help our players reach their full potential.”

Jones was re-hired by the Elks in 2021, after he was previously with the organization in 2014 and 2015.

The team had a dismal time with Jones at the helm in his second stint, managing a record of eight wins and 33 losses since 2022, including setting a North American sports record for most consecutive home losses — 22 games.

The Elks have confirmed that Geroy Simon will take over as interim general manager. Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach Jarious Jackson will become the team’s interim head coach.

The Elks will play their next game in Ottawa on July 19 versus the Ottawa Redblacks.

Jones’ coaching history

Chris Jones has been coaching in football since 1993, when he started as an assistant coach with North Jackson High School in Stevenson, Alabama.

After winning the 1993 State Championship, he moved in 1995 to Tennessee Tech University, where he was a graduated assistant coach.

Jones bounced around between the University of Alabama and University of Tennessee at Martin, before returning to Tennessee Tech in 1999.

In 2002, Jones made his move to professional football when he joined the Montreal Alouettes as a defensive line coach, and helped the team win the Grey Cup.

In 2003, he was promoted to defensive coordinator, a position he held in Montreal until 2008, when he moved to the Calgary Stampeders.

As a member of the Stampeders, Jones gradually became assistant head coach, defensive coordinator, and assistant director of player personnel. During his time in Calgary, the Stampeders won one Grey Cup.

In 2012, Jones moved back east and joined the Toronto Argonauts, where he was assistant head coach, defensive coordinator, and assistant general manager. During his time in Toronto, the Argos won the 100th Grey Cup.

In 2014, Jones made his first move to Edmonton, where he was offered the head coach job of the city’s CFL team. In 2014, he was named coach of the year after Edmonton finished with a 12-6 record. In 2015, Jones led Edmonton to the Grey Cup, where they defeated the Ottawa Redblacks.

In 2015, right after winning the Grey Cup, Jones moved to Saskatchewan, where he became the coach of the Roughriders. While in Regina, Jones and the Riders saw some successes, but were unable to capture the Grey Cup.

In 2019, he joined the Cleveland Browns as their defensive specialist, however, was removed from his role following coaching changes a year later.

Following his short stint in the NFL, Jones returned to coaching high school football at South Pittsburgh High School, before rejoining the CFL and the Toronto Argonauts.

Two months after joining Toronto, Jones found himself back in Edmonton — until July 15, 2024.