The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are sticking with June Jones.
The team has announced that Jones will return as head coach in 2018 after agreeing to a three year contract with the CFL club.
Jones, 64, took over from Kent Austin on Aug. 24 and turned around the Ticats following their disastrous 0-8 start to finish 6-12.
“What June accomplished here as a head coach in the last half of the 2017 season was nothing short of remarkable,” said Austin, Hamilton’s vice-president of football operations.
“He is a strong leader with high character and extensive football knowledge, and we know he will be relentless in his efforts to put a winning product on the field in pursuit of a Grey Cup.”
Jones was in charge during Hamilton’s ill-fated attempt to hire former Baylor University football coach Art Briles.
And he considered a return to the NCAA coaching ranks this off-season at Oregon State, which Jones says is “close to home,” but he added that it didn’t work out. The Beavers hired Jonathan Smith instead.
Jones, who is now under contract through the 2020 CFL season, called free agent quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and former stater Zach Collaros “top flight” players in the league buts admitted that the Ticats “can’t keep both” of them around in 2018.
Former NFL QB and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel is also still a possibility to land in Hamilton. Jones says Austin has had “good conversations” with Manziel’s agent, saying that the ball is now in the CFL’s court.
League commissioner Randy Ambrosie has said that Manziel will not be allowed to sign a contract until he “meets certain conditions.”
Led by Jones, no team in the CFL had more wins (6) and points (12) from Labour Day until the end of the regular season than the Ticats.
Hamilton also scored the most points, had the most quarterback sacks and was No. 1 against the run during that same time frame.
“I’m extremely excited to build on where we left off last season and ultimately continue working towards bringing a Grey Cup back to Hamilton,” said Jones. “I really felt an immediate connection with our players and this community when I arrived last season, and I’m grateful to Bob Young, Scott Mitchell and Kent Austin for this opportunity.”
Jones has also served a head coach in the NCAA at Southern Methodist University (2008-14) and the University of Hawaii (1999-2007), and in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers (interim in 1998) and Atlanta Falcons (1994-96).
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