Montreal Alouettes fire head coach Khari Jones
Montreal Alouettes fire head coach Khari Jones
Danny Maciocia is returning to the CFL sidelines.
The Montreal Alouettes GM assumed interim head-coaching duties with the CFL club Wednesday after the club fired head coach Khari Jones and defensive co-ordinator Barron Miles.
Noel Thorpe returns to the franchise as defensive co-ordinator and defensive backs coach.
Maciocia made the move with Montreal (1-3) on a bye week. The Alouettes return to action July 14 hosting the Edmonton Elks.
In a statement, the Alouettes said Maciocia will serve as head coach until the end of the '22 season.
"This kind of decision is always difficult to make, but we felt that we needed to make it early in the season while there is still time," Maciocia said. "We want to thank Khari Jones and Barron Miles for their work, and wish them the best in the future."
Maciocia's decision to let Jones go wasn't entirely a surprise. It was former Alouettes GM Kavis Reed who promoted Jones to head coach from offensive co-ordinator when the club abruptly announced just before the '19 season that Mike Sherman was longer the head man.
The amiable 51-year-old Jones posted an 18-18 regular-season record over two-plus seasons with the Alouettes, who'd reached the playoffs during Jones' first two years but were eliminated in the East semifinal.
Montreal finished third in the East Division last season with a 7-7 record before losing to Hamilton 23-12 in the opening round of the conference playoffs.
The Alouettes were 10-8 in 2019. It was the franchise's first winning campaign since 2012 and first playoff appearance since 2014 and secured Jones a three-year extension.
Maciocia was named Alouettes GM in 2020 but before that had served as the head coach of the Montreal Carabins from 2011-19, winning a Vanier Cup in 2014. Over nine seasons with the Carabins, Maciocia compiled a 57-16-0 record.
Maciocia also has CFL experience as a head coach with Edmonton (2005-08), winning a Grey Cup in '05. He also served as an assistant with Montreal (1997-2001) and Edmonton (2002-04).
Thorpe returns with the Alouettes for a third time. He began his CFL coaching career with Montreal in 2002, winning a Grey Cup with the Alouettes after spending six seasons with the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser.
Thorpe won a Vanier Cup with UBC in 1997.
Thorpe coached special teams and defensive backs with Montreal from 2002-07. He returned in 2013 as the club's defensive co-ordinator and assistant head coach, positions he held through 2017.
He also served as a defensive backs coach, special-teams co-ordinator and assistant head coach with Edmonton (2008-10) and also worked as a defensive co-ordinator with the Ottawa Redblacks (2018-19).
Thorpe has a history with Maciocia. The two worked together in Edmonton in 2010 as well as the Carabins in 2011-12 when he served as the university team's special-teams co-ordinator.
Thorpe rejoins the Alouettes after helping the Birmingham Stallions win the USFL championship.
-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 6, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada's interim import ban on handguns takes effect today
As of today, individuals and businesses are no longer able to import restricted handguns into Canada, with limited exceptions. The move announced earlier this month is aimed at expediting a key pillar of the federal effort to cap the number of handguns in the country.

COVID-19: What will the new school year look like by province and territory?
As students across Canada gear up to enter what will be their fourth academic year in the pandemic, CTVNews.ca takes a look at what measures will be in place in schools, by province and territory.
Transport minister set to testify at committee today on airport delays, flight cancellations
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra is set to testify before the House of Commons transport committee this afternoon about ongoing airport delays and flight cancellations.
Freedom Convoy-affiliated group being evicted from Ottawa church
The owner of a historic church in Ottawa's Lowertown neighbourhood is evicting a group with ties to the 'Freedom Convoy' occupation planning to purchase the property this fall, in an apparent dispute over unpaid rent for the facility.
Vatican shelves sexual assault probe into Cardinal Marc Ouellet
There is not enough evidence to open a formal church investigation into sexual assault allegations against a prominent Quebec cardinal, Pope Francis declared Thursday. Cardinal Marc Ouellet, an adviser to the Pope, has been accused of sexual misconduct in a class-action lawsuit filed earlier this week in Quebec Superior Court.
Survival 'the only concern' as Canadian tenants struggle to pay rent
As rent prices rise, CTVNews.ca heard from a number of Canadians struggling to afford their homes. The surge in rent prices over the last few months has forced many to cut back on spending, with some having to relocate or move in with their parents.
Apple warns of security flaw for iPhones, iPads and Macs
Apple disclosed serious security vulnerabilities for iPhones, iPads and Macs that could potentially allow attackers to take complete control of these devices.
North Korea dismisses South Korea's aid offer as 'foolish' repeat
The sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said her country will never accept South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's 'foolish' offer of economic benefits in exchange for denuclearization steps, accusing Seoul of recycling proposals Pyongyang already rejected.
Canadian veterans in France to mark 80th anniversary of disastrous Dieppe Raid
Canadian flags hang alongside French and British on the streets of Dieppe, France, each August as the city marks the anniversary of an important and disastrous day during the Second World War.