Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym/RFB Sport Photography
Chris Jones has been hired as an assistant coach at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, sources have told 3DownNation. He will serve as the team’s defensive pass game coordinator and also work with the defensive backs.
The 59-year-old most recently worked as a senior associate director of player personnel at the University of North Carolina. Freddie Kitchens, who hired Jones with the Cleveland Browns in 2019, served as the offensive coordinator with the Tar Heels in 2025, though he wasn’t retained on Bill Belichick’s staff for 2026.
The native of South Pittsburg, Tenn. worked in the CFL for 21 seasons, including stints with the Montreal Alouettes, Calgary Stampeders, Toronto Argonauts, Edmonton Elks, Saskatchewan Roughriders, and Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He won four Grey Cups.
Jones is most notable for his tenure as the head coach and general manager of the Roughriders and two stints as the head coach of the Elks, the latter of which also included the title of general manager. He led Edmonton to a Grey Cup victory in 2015 and was named the CFL’s Coach of the Year in 2018 with Saskatchewan.
In total, Jones went 61-70 over eight seasons as a CFL head coach and was fired by the Elks following an 0-5 start in 2024.
Some of the University of Louisiana at Monroe’s notable alumni includes longtime NFL receiver Marty Booker, longtime NFL quarterback and head coach Doug Pederson, and CFL quarterback Caleb Evans.