Redblacks drop interim tag, name Bob Dyce full-time head coach
Fill out staff with Khari Jones and Barron Miles as offensive, defensive co-ordinators
Bob Dyce will return at the helm of Ottawa Redblacks next season after the CFL club officially named him as the third head coach in franchise history.
The 56-year-old Winnipeg native took over coaching duties last season after Paul LaPolice was fired following a 34-19 loss to the B.C. Lions. That dropped Ottawa's record to 3-11.
On Monday, Barron Miles was announced as their defensive co-ordinator, two days after the Redblacks hired Khari Jones as offensive co-ordinator. Jones will also serve as an assistant to Dyce after they were part of the Roughriders coaching staff when Saskatchewan won the 2013 Grey Cup.
Miles returns to the CFL after he was fired, along with head coach Jones, four games into the Montreal Alouettes' 2022 season.
"I'm very happy to have Barron join our coaching staff for next season," Dyce said in a statement. "Having worked with and against Barron in the past, I've seen how he builds great relationships and communicates his vision for success with his players. I believe we will all benefit from his high energy and direct coaching style."
The 50-year-old Miles, from Roselle, N.J., was defensive co-ordinator and defensive backs coach for the Bishop's Gaiters in Sherbrooke, Que., during the 2022 U Sports season.
Before joining the Alouettes, Miles was defensive backs and player development coach in Edmonton (2016-2019).
He began his coaching career as a defensive assistant with the B.C. Lions (2010-2011), and had stops as a defensive backs coach in Saskatchewan (2012-2014) and Winnipeg.
Short stint with Tiger-Cats
As a player, Miles was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1995 before an 11-year CFL career with the Alouettes (1998-2004), and Lions (2005-2009).
It was important to get a man of integrity like Khari to lead our offence.— Redblacks head coach on new offensive co-ordinator Khari Jones
Jones was previously head coach in Montreal for three seasons until he was fired in July. He then served as a football operations consultant with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for the rest of the season.
"I'm extremely pleased to have Khari join the Redblacks family," said Dyce. "KJ is a great communicator and teacher who brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and energy to Ottawa.
"It was important to get a man of integrity like Khari to lead our offence going forward and I'm excited to work with him once again."
The 51-year-old Jones guided the Als to the playoffs in both 2019 and 2021.
"I'm very happy and excited to be a part of Bob Dyce's staff in Ottawa. I have known Bob for over 20 years and I am honoured to work with him again," said Jones. "I can't wait to help deliver a dynamic offence for RNation and help push us towards the collective goal of bringing a Grey Cup back to Ottawa."
Before his time in Montreal, Jones spent three seasons as offensive co-ordinator of the B.C. Lions, helping them to a West final appearance in 2016.
Jones was 2001 CFL most outstanding player
He was also quarterbacks coach of the Roughriders from 2012-2013, where he enjoyed a victory in the 101st Grey Cup. Jones initially broke into the coaching ranks with the Ticats as quarterbacks coach and offensive co-ordinator from 2009-2011.
Jones previously had considerable success as a player. The former quarterback earned most outstanding player and CFL all-star honours in 2001 with the Blue Bombers en route to a Grey Cup appearance. He was also named a CFL West all-star in 2002.
The Redblacks won their first game under Dyce, 24-18 at Montreal, before ending the season on a three-game losing streak.
Dyce had served as the Redblacks' special teams co-ordinator since 2016 before taking over from LaPolice. He was part of the Redblacks coaching staff that helped the team win the Grey Cup in his first season in Ottawa.
Previously, Dyce spent five years on the Roughriders staff in various roles, including offensive co-ordinator (2012), special teams co-ordinator (2013-2015), and interim head coach (2015). Saskatchewan won the Grey Cup in 2013.
Dyce was the receivers coach for Winnipeg from 2003-2009.
"It's amazing that, seven years after first coming to Ottawa, I get to lead this talented group of players in front of such a passionate fan base," Dyce said in a release. "I look forward to working together with [Redblacks general manager Shawn Burke] and the players to build a strong team that we all will be proud of both on the field and in the community."
