Why Chris Jones is the one to lead Riderville
As speculation that Chris Jones will be the next GM and Head Coach of the epicentre of the Canadian Football League there are still some that are unsure if he is in-fact the correct choice.
The fact is, of the names the general public are aware of Jones is by far the most qualified and has the most upside for the Green Riders. Here are five reasons why I feel that if he wants it, Chris Jones should be the next General Manager and Head Coach of Saskatchewan Roughriders Football Club.
Jonesy is a Winner, Period! He has been with 4 different teams in the CFL and has won a Grey Cup with all four teams, Calgary, Montreal, Toronto and most recently Edmonton. The man knows how to win and lead a group of winners.
Chris Jones creates a family culture throughout his team that lead players and coaches to run through walls for him and each other. Most importantly, the culture breeds the sense that one does not want to let the others down. In a competive business such is professional football this culture is a lot easier said than done.
He has had experience and sustainable success at all levels in this league. Not only as a Defensive Co-ordinator but in most if not all stops along the way in the CFL he has had titles ranging from Assistant Head Coach, Head Coach as well as management positions responsible for player personnel. Consistantly for many years Jones has brought in major talent to this league especially on the defensive side of the ball. This started from running his own camps in the states in the off-season. He's a staple at every talent evaluation event in the USA such as the Senior Bowl and has a network of people he can rely upon to continue to bring in talent. This may be the most important part of his job this year as he would be responsible for re-stocking the empty cupboards in Riderville.
Chris comes from a good football tree. Many of us have heard for years about his relationship with Bill Parcells as it has been well documented during the 2014 and 2015 seasons in Edmonton during his first two years as a Head Coach in this league. I firmly belive that people are a product of their environment and the coaching tree Jones belongs to is home to some of the best this business has seen including the legendary Don Matthews.
Lastly, Jones is the boss. Should he accept the dual role of GM and HC with the Riders there will be no mistake who everyone is trying to please. Jones will be in charge and everyone will know it. He has done things his way both as a Defensive Co-ordinator and a Head Coach in this league and has done so succesfully. He is a polorizing figure that knows exactly what he wants to do and how he wants to accomplish it. Along with that, he's not doing it with the mindset of trying to please others. He's doing it because he knows it's the best way that he knows how to get things done. For better or worse, things will be done his way because he wants it that way.
There are many trains of thought as to who would be the best fit for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and these are my two (five) cents. I welcome your thoughts on the matter in the comment section below.
