Khari Jones facts for kids
| UBC Thunderbirds | |
Jones with the Ottawa Redblacks in 2023
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| Born: | May 16, 1971 Hammond, Indiana, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| CFL status | International |
| Position(s) | Offensive coordinator Assistant head coach |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Weight | 195 lb (88 kg) |
| College | UC Davis |
| Hand | Right |
| Career history | |
| As administrator | |
| 2022 | Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Football operations consultant) |
| As coach | |
| 2009–2010 | Hamilton Tiger-Cats (QBC) |
| 2011 | Hamilton Tiger-Cats (OC) |
| 2012–2013 | Saskatchewan Roughriders (QBC) |
| 2014–2017 | BC Lions (OC) |
| 2018 | Montreal Alouettes (OC) |
| 2019–2022 | Montreal Alouettes (HC & OC) |
| 2023 | Ottawa Redblacks (OC/AHC) |
| 2025–present | UBC Thunderbirds (QBC) |
| As player | |
| 1995–1996 | Albany Firebirds (AFL) |
| 1996 | Scottish Claymores (WLAF) |
| 1997–1999 | BC Lions (CFL) |
| 2000–2004 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL) |
| 2004 | Calgary Stampeders (CFL) |
| 2005 | Edmonton Eskimos (CFL)* |
| 2005 | Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL) |
| 2006 | Edmonton Eskimos (CFL)* |
| 2007 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL) |
| *Offseason and/or practice roster member only | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| CFL All-Star | 2001 |
| CFL East All-Star | 2001 |
| CFL West All-Star | 2002 |
| Awards | 2001 CFL MOP |
| Career stats | |
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Khari Okang Jones (pronounced kə-HAH-ree; born May 16, 1971) is a former professional Canadian football player from the United States. He is currently the quarterbacks coach for the UBC Thunderbirds in U Sports. Jones used to be the head coach for the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Jones played as a quarterback in the CFL, where he had his greatest success with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He also played briefly for the Arena Football League's Albany Firebirds and the World League of American Football's Scottish Claymores. After his playing career, Jones worked as a television sports reporter for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). He has also been an offensive coordinator for teams like the BC Lions, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Ottawa Redblacks.
Contents
Khari Jones' Football Journey
College Football Days
Khari Jones was a star quarterback at the University of California, Davis. In his two years as a starter (1992–1993), he set new records. He was the first UC Davis quarterback to throw for over 3,000 yards in one season. He also threw more than 50 touchdowns in his college career. Jones led the Aggies to an impressive 17-2-1 record. In 2000, he was honored by being added to the UC Davis Aggies Hall of Fame.
Early Professional Leagues
After college, Jones joined the Albany Firebirds in the Arena Football League in 1995. He didn't play much in his first two seasons. In 1996, he also played one season for the Scottish Claymores in the World League of American Football. This league later became known as NFL Europe.
Playing in the CFL
In 1997, Jones signed with the BC Lions in the CFL. For three years, he was mostly a backup player behind quarterback Damon Allen.
His career changed in 2000 when he joined the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He started as a backup but soon became the main quarterback.
Star Player with Winnipeg
The year 2001 was a big one for Jones. He was named the CFLs Most Outstanding Player. He led the Blue Bombers to an amazing 14-4 record, including 12 wins in a row. Jones was the quarterback for the Bombers in the 89th Grey Cup in Montreal. However, his team lost to the Calgary Stampeders 27-19.
Jones's 2002 season was even better in terms of statistics. He threw for 5,353 yards and 46 touchdown passes. This was one of the highest numbers of passing touchdowns in a CFL season. From 2000 to 2002, Jones threw 107 touchdown passes. This was more than any other quarterback in the CFL or NFL during that time. In his four seasons with Winnipeg, Jones set 17 team passing records. He even threw five touchdowns in a single game four times in one season.
Moving to Other Teams
In 2004, Jones was traded from the Blue Bombers to the Calgary Stampeders. This happened partly because of a shoulder injury. The Stampeders later signed Henry Burris, and Jones was released.
Jones tried out for the Edmonton Eskimos in 2005 but was released again. Later that season, he signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats but was released after eight games. He signed with the Eskimos again in 2006 but was released before the season started.
On October 17, 2007, Jones signed a contract with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He then immediately signed his retirement papers. This allowed him to officially retire with the team where he had the most success.
Coaching Career Highlights
In 2009, Khari Jones started his coaching career as the quarterbacks coach for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. In 2011, he became the offensive coordinator and helped the team reach the East Final.
On January 3, 2012, he joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders as their quarterbacks coach. In 2013, he helped the team win the 101st Grey Cup.
Jones became the offensive coordinator for the BC Lions on December 23, 2013.
Leading the Montreal Alouettes
On January 3, 2018, Jones became the new offensive coordinator for the Montreal Alouettes. On June 8, 2019, just before the 2019 season began, he was promoted to head coach. Even though he took over just six days before the season, Jones led the Alouettes to a great 10–8 record. They finished second in the East Division. After the season, he signed a three-year contract to continue as head coach and offensive coordinator.
The 2020 CFL season was cancelled due to world events. In 2021, the team finished with a 7–7 record and lost in the East Semi-Final. Jones was fired on July 6, 2022, after the team started the 2022 season with a 1–3 record.
Recent Coaching Roles
On July 18, 2022, Jones was hired as a football operations consultant for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
On December 3, 2022, Jones was named the offensive coordinator and assistant head coach for the Ottawa Redblacks. However, after the Redblacks had a tough 4-14 record in 2023, Jones was fired on November 3, 2023.
As of January 15, 2025, Jones is the quarterback coach for the UBC Thunderbirds football team.
Head Coaching Record
| Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won | Lost | Ties | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Result | |||
| MTL | 2019 | 10 | 8 | 0 | .556 | 2nd in East Division | 0 | 1 | Lost in East Semi-Final | |
| MTL | 2020 | Season Cancelled | ||||||||
| MTL | 2021 | 7 | 7 | 0 | .500 | 3rd in East Division | 0 | 1 | Lost in East Semi-Final | |
| MTL | 2022 | 1 | 3 | 0 | .250 | 2nd in East Division | - | - | Fired | |
| Total | 18 | 18 | 0 | .500 | 0 East Division Championships |
0 | 2 | 0 Grey Cups | ||
Helping Others with LivingWorks
In 2006, Khari Jones became a digital co-trainer for the LivingWorks SafeTALK course. This course helps people learn how to support others who are going through a difficult time or facing mental health challenges. Jones had just finished playing football and was working as a broadcaster and actor when he got this opportunity.
He shared that this work was very important to him because mental health struggles had affected his own family. He quickly realized it was more than just an acting job. Since they were first recorded, Khari's videos have helped trainers teach the SafeTALK course to over 300,000 people in more than 20 countries.
Acting Roles
While studying at the University of California in Davis, Khari Jones took acting classes. These classes helped him get roles in several made-for-TV movies.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | She Smokes | Craig | Short |
| 2006 | I Dream of Murder | Police Officer | TV movie |
| 2006 | Touch the Top of the World | Wrestling Coach | TV movie |
| 2008 | Confessions of a Go-Go Girl | Yuppie Manager | TV movie |
| 2008 | Snow 2: Brain Freeze | Policeman #1 | TV movie |
| 2012 | LUV | Kid |
Personal Life
Khari Jones is a citizen of both Canada and the United States. He lives in Surrey, British Columbia with his wife, Justine, and their daughters, Jaelyn and Siena. His parents are Cauley Ray and Nina Maria Jones. He also has a brother named Jamie Jamar Jones, who is a filmmaker and podcaster. Khari met his wife, Justine, in a theater class when they were both students at UC Davis. They even acted in plays together during their college years.
