The Edmonton Elks announced Monday afternoon that Chris Jones has been let go as Head Coach and General Manager. Offensive Coordinator Jarious Jackson will take over as interim head coach, and Geroy Simon will be interim general manager. The move comes less than 24 hours after the team's heartbreaking loss to the Ottawa REDBLACKS on home turf, which dropped their record to 0-5. Jones was in his third season with the Elks and posted a win-loss record of 8-33.
Jackson joined the coaching staff in 2022 as a Quarterbacks coach and Passing game Coordinator before being promoted to Offensive Coordinator after the Elks started the 2023 season with a 0-8 record. Under Jackson as the OC, the Elks went a respectable 4-6 in the final ten games of the season.
Simon joined the Elks in late 2021 as assistant general manager after the previous eight seasons as scout with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and top scouting executive with the BC Lions. Inducted to the Canadian Football Hall of Famer in 2017, Simon played with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, BC Lions, and Saskatchewan Roughriders from 1999 to 2013.