Khari Jones

[Austin85]

What do you all think of Khari Jones as OC?

[blue_gold_84]

I wouldn't be opposed to him getting interviewed.

[Jesse]

A big ol' meh.

[Pete]

Other candidates  might be:
Jarious Jackson
Lapolice
Kevin Bourgoin
All including Khari seem to fit in with O'Sheas style
If its Bougoin might open up a path for Bighill as coach / emergency replacement

[dd]

I would bring him in for an interview for sure, and would have to be considered a top candidate- has experience with the franchise/had an outstanding playing career here, knows offenses, knows the Qb position intimately. I think he would be an upgrade to our offense.

[theaardvark]

Not the worst choice, there are a fair number of decent choices out there.  it will come down to who Osh feels most comfortable with...  a lot of ex HC's on the list..

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Here are John Hodge's top 8 contenders.

Kevin Bourgoin

The longtime NCAA assistant has been with the Blue Bombers for the past seven years, spending the last four as receivers coach. He's helped players like Kenny Lawler, Dalton Schoen, and Nic Demski flourish into CFL stars and oversaw an outstanding rookie season from Ontaria Wilson in 2024. Bourgoin knows Winnipeg's offensive system and clearly has the trust of head coach Mike O'Shea.

O'Shea promoted Jordan Younger and Mike Miller to the roles of defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator, respectively, this past off-season, illustrating how he likes to hire from within. If he chooses to do the same this time around, Bourgoin, who was an offensive coordinator during his long tenure at the University of Maine, could be considered the front-runner to replace Pierce.

Pete Costanza

All the native of New Jersey does is win. He's won six Grey Cups, including four over the past six seasons, one of which came with the Blue Bombers in 2021. He's been the passing game coordinator with the Toronto Argonauts for the past three seasons, helping the team enjoy success regardless of who is at quarterback — Chad Kelly, McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Nick Arbuckle, or Cameron Dukes.

Costanza has already coached in Winnipeg's offensive system, previously serving as the team's running backs coach, which could provide a seamless transition as the Blue Bombers look to qualify for the first home Grey Cup in franchise history.

Markus Howell

The 49-year-old native of Winnipeg, Man. has four years of experience as a pass-game coordinator and two years of experience as a run-game coordinator. He also took on extra responsibilities after Jarious Jackson was promoted to interim head coach with the Elks this past season, working with the quarterbacks and leading some practice sessions.

Howell was a receiver and return specialist for six seasons with the Blue Bombers and started his coaching career with the team, serving as receivers coach under O'Shea for two years. He unsuccessfully interviewed for Winnipeg's offensive coordinator position following the 2015 season, though he has since gained valuable experience in stints with Saskatchewan, B.C., Toronto, and Edmonton.

Mike Lionello

The 34-year-old native of Vancouver, B.C. has spent the past three seasons as the receivers coach in Montreal, helping players like Cole Spieker, Charleston Rambo, and Tyson Philpot become household names. He also called offensive plays for the Alouettes for a stint in 2022 after Khari Jones was fired as the team's head coach.

Lionello is still relatively young but he's paid his dues, previously serving as an assistant with Simon Fraser University, the B.C. Lions, and Toronto Argonauts. O'Shea has tremendous respect for Montreal head coach Jason Maas, so it doesn't seem farfetched to think he could try to hire one of his protégés.

Jarious Jackson

The 47-year-old native of Tupelo, Miss. has coached in the CFL every year since he retired, including stints as an offensive coordinator in B.C., Toronto, and Edmonton. The Elks had an excellent attack this past season despite missing the playoffs, finishing first in offensive points per game, second in net offence, first in average yards per rush, and second in average yards per play.

Jackson and O'Shea have never coached together, but they overlapped with the Toronto Argonauts in 2012 when the former was in the final year of his playing career at quarterback and the latter was the club's special teams coordinator.


Photo: Bob Butrym/3DownNation. All rights reserved.
Khari Jones

The native of Hammond, Ind. remains a legend in Winnipeg as he spent five years rewriting the team's record book at quarterback, winning M.O.P. in 2001. He has 14 years of coaching experience, including a four-year run as head coach with the Alouettes and 10 years as an offensive coordinator in Hamilton, B.C., Montreal, and Ottawa. He also remains close with team president and CEO Wade Miller.

"Being able to work with O'Shea would be pretty cool," Jones told 3DownNation on Wednesday. "I've admired him for a bunch of years." The 53-year-old is currently an assistant professor at Linfield University in Oregon and cited his current teaching experience as an asset that will help him become a better football coach in the future.

Paul LaPolice

The 54-year-old native of Nashua, N.H. has already had three separate stints with the Blue Bombers, so a fourth doesn't seem impossible. He was popular in Winnipeg during his three-year stint as head coach, which ended when he became the scapegoat for incompetent general manager Joe Mack, and won a Grey Cup as the team's offensive coordinator in 2019.

LaPolice has previously indicated that he's content with his position as an analyst and broadcaster at TSN, though it remains unclear if he would consider a return to coaching in Winnipeg. He did not respond to a request for comment from 3DownNation on Wednesday.

Mike Miller

The 54-year-old native of Pittsburgh, Pa. has spent the past three seasons as the quarterbacks coach in Toronto, where he's helped launch Chad Kelly to CFL stardom and reignite the career of Grey Cup MVP Nick Arbuckle. He was previously the offensive coordinator with the Arizona Cardinals and Montreal Alouettes, which is a strong resumé.

O'Shea likes people with experience and Miller has plenty of it, including 13 years in the NFL and seven in the NCAA. The only downside of his potential hiring would be that he has the same first and last name as Winnipeg's special teams coordinator, which could prove confusing for all involved.

[Ducky]

It would be interesting to see a top U Sports guy like Michael Faulds get an interview. Former star Canadian College QB, offensive coordinator advanced to HC. Just won the Vanier Cup.

[TecnoGenius]

A big ol' meh.

Exactly what I was going to say!  Khari = meh.  After Lapo, he's the only retread I wouldn't be totally against, though.

Khari also is not a run-first OC/HC, so he would have the same problem as Maksymic.

[Waffler]

Interesting that Lapo has no comment. A media guy would be quick to say he's happy where he is you'd think.
Bourgoin and Costanza seem most likely to me if it's not Lapo. Just saying that based on what I think MOS would do.

[dd]

Jackson seems to have the most experience and success. Who knew Edmonton was first in points scored and 2nd in net offense, first in average yards per rush and second in average yards per play, with Edmonton's lineup?!? Obviously utilizes the run well and scores, and we struggled in scoring. Seriously, I ll take that any Day!! Hope he comes here

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Hoping someone from the Bombers provides an update on the OC search and indicates who all they're considering.  Apparently Macsymic was already interviewed and chose Edmonton instead......Doh!

[ModAdmin]

Hoping someone from the Bombers provides an update on the OC search and indicates who all they're considering.  Apparently Macsymic was already interviewed and chose Edmonton instead......Doh!

Maybe he was interviewed and the Bombers decided he was not the right person for us.

[TecnoGenius]

Can losing the HC cause some players to bail?  What if some guys don't want to be bothered learning a completely alien system?  Basically all of our guys have only known one system while here: the Lapo-morphs-to-Buck system.  And it really was a gradual morph: '21 O looked a lot like the '19 O.

Although I guess if the guys weren't buying into the system anymore, Buck leaving could be a bonus incentive to stay here.  It all depends on how they feel/felt, and on that I have no clue or even guess.

One thing's for sure: unless we get Lapo back, there's going to be a heck of a lot of learning and studying in TC and PS, and we could have another slow (read: bad) weeks 1 thru 6...

[Blue In BC]

Other candidates  might be:
Jarious Jackson
Lapolice
Kevin Bourgoin
All including Khari seem to fit in with O'Sheas style
If its Bougoin might open up a path for Bighill as coach / emergency replacement

Bougoin knows the offence and players. You'd think he'd have the edge but we'll see. Jackson might be a good choice.

Either way, we'll be down 1 coach on offence and need to add a +1.

Bighill as a coach / emergency replacement is not a bad idea other than fitting him into the coaches salary cap. If Hall departs, then perhaps there is a role with the gap created.