The York University Lions have named Nathaniel Griffith and Brian Jones as associate head coaches for the 2023 U Sports football season.
“I am absolutely thrilled to have Brian and Nathaniel as our two associate head coaches this year,” said York athletic director Alex Dominato in a statement. “We are taking an innovative approach to this season and Brian and Nathaniel have stepped up to serve the Lion Pride. They have both already shown incredible growth in leadership in a very short time. We’re going to be an exciting and motivated team this season under their guidance!”
Griffith joined York’s coaching staff as an offensive assistant in 2014 after playing three seasons with the Lions as a receiver (2010-12). He also previously played for the Brampton Bulldogs of the OVFL and at Vanier College.
Jones joined the Lions coaching staff this past season as the team’s special teams coordinator and receivers coach. He played four years at Acadia University (2012-15) during which he was named a two-time AUS all-star, a U Sports second-team All-Canadian, and selected as the conference nominee for the Hec Creighton Trophy.
The native of Enfield, N.S. was a first-round pick of the Toronto Argonauts in the 2016 CFL Draft and played 44 career games as a member of the Argos, Saskatchewan Roughriders, and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
York will open its regular season on Saturday, Aug. 26 when they host the Western University Mustangs. The Lions have not qualified for the OUA postseason since 2004 and won only one game in 2022, which came after McMaster University forfeited what was originally a 39-1 victory following an eligibility violation.
