Chris Jones’ departure from the Calgary Stampeders is a curious one to be sure.
After Stamps head coach John Hufnagel called the media together Wednesday morning to discuss the defensive co-ordinator’s move to the Toronto Argonauts, the Argos responded with a statement saying Jones hasn’t joined their team.
First, here is the Argos statement:
Toronto — The Toronto Argonauts Football Club would like to clarify some remarks made to the media earlier today by Calgary Stampeders Head Coach and General Manager John Hufnagel regarding Defensive Coordinator Chris Jones.
The Toronto Argonauts did not request permission from the Calgary Stampeders to talk to Chris Jones. Chris Jones was under contract to the Stampeders. As such, the Argonauts did not believe him to be available for discussion. He does not have a contract with the Toronto Argonauts.
The Toronto Argonauts have no further comment on this situation.
Interesting.
As the situation goes, Hufnagel returned from lunch Tuesday afternoon and Jones came into his office. The news Jones delivered was that the four-year defensive co-ordinator would be departing for the Argos.
Reports about Montreal Alouettes offensive co-ordinator Scott Milanovich taking over the head-coaching job in Toronto surfaced moments after the Grey Cup was completed Sunday night.
Former Stampeders player personnel man Jim Barker hasn’t yet announced his future plans, but it’s speculated Barker will stay on as the Argos GM after two seasons as the head coach.
It’s not hard to connect the dots on the situation. Barker has relationships with both Milanovich and Jones. Barker and Jones are good friends who were previously together with the Alouettes and Stampeders. Whenever Barker gets a chance, he publicly praises Jones and the work he does with defence.
So what happened here? Clearly Jones didn’t just announce to Hufnagel his intentions to move without some assurance he would have the job in Toronto.
Could Milanovich have talked to Jones about heading up his defence? Possible. Could Barker have given Jones the reigns to his defence and the title of assistant head coach? More likely.
Things were icy between the Barker and Hufnagel when the former left for Toronto a couple years ago. This situation obviously doesn’t make anything better.
— Buz
I never liked Jim Barker when he was hired to replace Wally. He just seemed like the type of guy who will say and do anything he needs to do to get what he wants. He agreed to play Fedrick to get the job in Calgary even though that wasn’t the best thing for the team. Its sad to see Jones leave but he to should have done it properly and told the argos to get premission to talk to him first. Its ok HUFF kick the crap out of them on the field and give the moron Barker a shot or two when no one’s looking. GO STAMPS GO