Courtesy Montreal Gazette:

It appears the Alouettes are about to lose another coordinator from their coaching staff.

All signs last night indicated Chris Jones, Montreal’s defensive coordinator the last five seasons, was in Calgary, about to join the Stamps in a similar capacity - perhaps as early as today.

When reached by The Gazette, Jones was reluctant to talk. Asked specifically whether he was in Calgary and about to sign with a new team, Jones refused comment, staying only that nothing had been signed. He said he would have more to say should something materialize, but didn’t know when, or if, that would occur.

However, new Stampeders head coach and general manager John Hufnagel has an opening for a defensive coordinator, and said this week his intention was to fill the position quickly. The Gazette has reported Calgary’s interest in Jones. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats also have an interest, but aren’t in a position to hire anyone until new GM Bob O’Billovich decides the fate of head coach Charlie Taaffe.

Taaffe has two years left on his contract in Hamilton, but the team was only 3-15 under his direction in 2007. The Ticats appear reluctant to make a decision regarding Taaffe until the Als name their new head coach, knowing Taaffe would be a leading candidate to replace Jim Popp. Taaffe coached Montreal in 1999 and 2000. The Als, at the same time, are taking their time naming a new coach, probably because they want to see if Taaffe becomes available.

Jones interviewed for the Als’ head coach position, but is believed to be growing restless awaiting a decision. It’s also believed he didn’t take kindly to being passed over twice when Montreal was seeking a head coach - in October 2006, after the departure of Don Matthews, and at the end of that season. On both occasions the job went to GM Popp.

Jones had seven seasons coaching at the U.S. college level before joining the Als in 2002, as the defensive-line coach. He became the coordinator the next season and has assisted in coaching the defensive line and linebackers.

Jones is highly respected by many Montreal defensive players. Despite losing 10 of 18 games last season, Jones’s unit was competitive, allowing an average of 20.9 points per game - fewer than Saskatchewan and Winnipeg, which met for the Grey Cup.

Jones would be the second coordinator to leave the Als. Noel Thorpe, the special-teams coordinator and defensive-backs coach, joined Edmonton on Nov. 29.