DC Elks Jason Shivers believes Chris Jones’s winning “ideas” will “free up” for him in his new post.
Chris Jones may be able to be a little more cunning in 2024 if an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.
Jones gave up one of his three positions this offseason with the hire of Jason Shivers, after serving as general manager, head coach, and defensive coordinator for the Edmonton Elks for two miserable seasons. His 41-year-old protégé moves to Kansas from Saskatchewan to take on the roles of defensive coordinator and assistant head coach, relieving his overburdened and ineffective mentor of some of the workload.
“I believe it will enable him to generate even more concepts,” Shivers said to 630 CHED’s Morley Scott this week. “He’s always thinking of new ideas, even though he’s always involved in every aspect of the game.” He’s
“I believe that having me in place and the personnel we put on the offensive and defensive sides as well, can free him up to find new nuggets that can help us succeed and help us win,” the player said. “I think that not having to be in one specific room to make sure that comes back to his identity.”
Having started his coaching career in 2013 as a defensive assistant with the Toronto Argonauts under Jones’ direction as coordinator, Shivers is no stranger to working under Jones. After taking head coaching positions in Edmonton and Saskatchewan, the former NFL draft pick followed his mentor, and the two became so close that the former now feels they could finish each other’s sentences.
Shivers thinks he can help Jones in ways that go well beyond simply signaling in defensive play calls, having spent the previous five years apart.
He clarified, “As the assistant head coach, it’s my responsibility to assist Coach Jones and make sure I’m supporting him with whatever that I can take off his plate. We often discuss on our staff with Coach Jones that we have a workman attitude when it comes to organizational responsibilities or traveling. You can still rush over and get water if we’re shorthanded and need someone to do so, even though your job title is defense coordinator.
When Jones abruptly left the Roughriders in 2019 to join the NFL, Shivers assumed the position and served as the defensive coordinator for four seasons. Despite his team’s poor performance in 2023—they finished tenth in net offense and points allowed—he was not kept on, but he had already established a strong reputation that he will bring with him to Edmonton.
Conceptually, Shivers acknowledges that the Elks’ situation won’t really change from the time Jones was issuing commands. Considering their lengthy common past, both coaches emphasize a quick, physical, and aggressive style of play and employ a lot of the same language. There will be some adjustments made to the way they arrive at that conclusion.
When Jones abruptly left the Roughriders in 2019 to join the NFL, Shivers assumed the position and served as the defensive coordinator for four seasons. Despite his team’s poor performance in 2023—they finished tenth in net offense and points allowed—he was not kept on, but he had already established a strong reputation that he will bring with him to Edmonton.
Conceptually, Shivers acknowledges that the Elks’ situation won’t really change from the time Jones was issuing commands. Considering their lengthy common past, both coaches emphasize a quick, physical, and aggressive style of play and employ a lot of the same language. There will be some adjustments made to the way they arrive at that conclusion.
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