Jackson back in action

Winnipeg Free Press

5 hours ago

Winnipeg Blue Bombers practices had been akin to a game of Where's Waldo?, except the man being searched for all spring was Jarious Jackson.
On Monday, the club's quarterbacks coach was in plain sight, wearing a bright blue hoodie emblazoned with a large W and the matching shorts to go with it, as he joined the team for his first practice as a member of the Blue and Gold.
The 48-year-old was hired by the Bombers in February — announced the same day Jason Hogan was named offensive co-ordinator — but was excused from the team throughout training camp.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Bombers quarterbacks coach Jarious Jackson keeps an eye on things Monday at the team's practice.
As more concern grew for his absence, the club remained hush on the situation, head coach Mike O'Shea only noting on two occasions that Jackson was dealing with a 'personal issue' and that he still expected him to join the team.
'I just had some personal matters going on back at home that needed my attention, needed me to physically be there. Osh worked with me, and he totally understood. I'm here now. That's all that really matters, right?'
Jackson didn't get into the details of his situation, calling it a 'private matter' that has been resolved. There was a genuine excitement in his voice to be back around football after being away from it for longer than usual.
Not being around the game was hard on him, which only compounded the issues he was dealing with at home.
'Definitely was (hard). But at the same time, I was still watching film, I was still watching the games — I'm on CFL+, typing in my name and email address, I'm doing all the stuff that a regular fan would do,' he said.
'But at the same time, we still have DVSport (a software used to share and watch film), and the way things work these days, I mean, even if you're not physically there, you can normally stay in tune with things and what's going on. I'll firstly say — and I hate to say it — but it sucked not being here and going through the process of camp and the whole thing. But, I'm more than ecstatic to be here today.'
Jackson served as the quarterbacks coach and offensive co-ordinator for the Edmonton Elks from 2022-24, taking over as the interim head coach last season following a 0-5 start that led to Chris Jones being fired.
The Elks season turned around and the offence was unlocked under Jackson, as the club went 7-6 the remainder of the year while finishing first in points per game (27.6), second in net yards per game (390.3), first in average gain per rush (6.2) and first in sacks allowed (29) during that stretch.
Jackson was not retained in Edmonton after the organization cleaned house and opted to start a new era with Mark Kilam at the helm.
'No. I never thought it wasn't gonna work,' he said of his time away from the Bombers. 'I never thought I wouldn't make it. It was just a matter of when, you know what I mean?'
Jackson's absence put a little more on the plate of Hogan, who is preparing to call his first game as a CFL offensive co-ordinator when the Bombers host the B.C. Lions at Princess Auto Stadium on Thursday (7:30 p.m.).
Hogan would run the meetings in the quarterback room, while Zach Collaros and Chris Streveler were also leaned on to share their knowledge to younger pivots such as Terry Wilson and rookie Chase Artopoeus.
'I'd be lying if I didn't say it was a relief,' Hogan said.
'You want Jarious Jackson on your staff. Regardless of the title, the guy's got experience as a quarterback, as a co-ordinator, as a quarterback coach. He's going to bring such a wealth of knowledge to this football team, to this offence, to our quarterback room. It's just exciting to be around him, be able to pick his brain and get as much information as I can out of him.'
Buck Pierce served in Jackson's role for eight seasons before accepting the head coaching gig with the B.C. Lions last offseason. Though it doesn't carry the distinction of 'co-ordinator,' the quarterbacks coach is one of the most important assistants on the team.
'He's an extra set of eyes and ears. There's a lot of work,' Hogan said. 'The workload… I don't know if too many people know the workload behind it. It's a lot. It's a daily grind. So, to be able to have an extra set of eyes just for that position — which is the main position — allows me to step back and focus on Brady (Oliveira), focus on the receivers, focus on what's going on in our O-line room, our protection schemes, our run game. It's tremendous.'
It wasn't the first time Jackson had met the players. He's stayed in touch with the team throughout the offseason, attending meetings via video calls and adding his input to help shape the offence.
Although he parachuted into the team on Monday, welcoming another voice into the mix was a seamless transition.
'Oh man, it's invaluable,' said Streveler. 'To have a guy who, with his experience playing and coaching in the room now, it just was great to have him in there today, talking through things, seeing the game through the eyes of a quarterback like he does. He's going to be a tremendous asset for us to have.'
It also didn't take long for Jackson to feel like he belonged. The blue and gold clothing reminded him of his time playing quarterback for the University of Notre Dame.
It only affirmed his decision to join Winnipeg.
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In many ways, he said, it felt like home.
'Just the opportunity. I mean, what Osh has built here,' he said of why he joined the club.
'I can remember playing back in B.C., back in the day, and almost having an opportunity to come over here and play, and it just didn't work out. You watch back in the day when Osh was three, four years in, I mean, he's getting booed, we don't know if he's gonna be here or not, and look where he is now, right? He's almost built himself up in this organization kind of like Wally Buono with the B.C. Lions, in my opinion.
'So, why not? I want the opportunity to come work with a guy like that.'
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Joshua Frey-SamReporter
Josh Frey-Sam reports on sports and business at the Free Press. Josh got his start at the paper in 2022, just weeks after graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. He reports primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports. Read more about Josh.
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