Where it All Began

Kadie Smith

Back Where it all Began

Saturday marks the first regular-season game with the team for the BC Lions’ new offensive coordinator Khari Jones, the very team that gave the former CFL Outstanding Player his start in professional football. 

“It feels right to be back here,” said Jones. “It was where it started for me in the CFL. I scored my first touchdown here many moons ago and now I’m back here coaching. It’s gone full circle and it feels like the right place to be for both me and my family.”

It’s been 14 years since Khari’s been with BC, where he served a three-year tenure as backup to Damon Allen.

Since then, he’s done not too badly for himself. Jones played the best years of his illustrious career in Winnipeg after winning the starting spot from Kerwin Bell in the 2000 season. His 2001 campaign, the year that garnered him his CFL Most Outstanding Player title, saw him lead the Bombers to a 14-4 record with 12 straight wins. Not too bad indeed.

The following season was even better statistically for the pivot, with 5,353 passing yards and 46 touchdown passes. Jones remains one of only four QBs in the CFL to throw for over 40 touchdown passes in a season. Add to that the fact that from 2000-2002 his 107 TD passes exceeded those of any other QB in the CFL or NFL. He was Winnipeg’s guy.

And now he’s here.

After winning a Grey Cup at home with Saskatchewan last season, Jones came to the Leos looking to repeat that win in BC when the 102nd Grey Cup hits BC Place this year.

When you watch Jones on the field with his team you realize not only how much he loves this game, but how much he means to the game itself, the CFL and his players. They respect him and respond to him. They’ve grown up watching him, known him or played with him.

Like Kevin Glenn. The two have a unique relationship, both as teammates in Winnipeg in 2004 and as player/coach for three years in Hamilton where Jones, as the QB coach, guided Glenn to a career year throwing for 5,443 yards and a franchise-high 33 touchdowns.

“He brings a sense of calmness as a coach,” said Glenn of his longtime friend. “As a player you have enough pressure as it is on you and you know as a coach that he’s going to try to relieve some of the pressure. It’s a good environment to work in.”

That’s evident by watching Jones interact with the players, or with anyone, for that matter. He commits himself to their level in a way that makes players feel that he’s alongside them for the long haul. That’s just who he is; on and off the field.

“I think it’s my personality; it’s who I am”, said Jones. “I like being around these guys and I know that we’re in it together. I hope they know that too.” It is this natural ability to connect with his players that makes him such an effective leader.

Now at the helm of a stacked offence with a wealth of pivot options, Jones is positive about the corps of players he hopes to lead to a Grey Cup win.

“Look, it is a special group. I’m not going to lie about that. It’s a pretty good place to be. You’ve got a former MVP, a Grey Cup winner, a guy who’s on the top 10 of the passing list, and guy who’s been in the NFL for a number of years.”

It will all come down to the players. As Jones puts it, so much of it is them, and if they’re as responsive to Jones‘ coaching style as players have been in the past, the future looks bright here in BC.

“My goal as a coach is just to put those guys in a position to be successful and allow them to go do it, and mostly trust them to go do it. I have a big trust for players who work hard and want to be good.”

“That’s one thing that the great coaches do; they trust their players,” said Glenn.

It’s a special thing, trust, and it goes both ways.