The Edmonton Elks announced their 2024 coaching staff on Monday led by the addition of veteran defensive coordinator Jason Shivers, who will be the club’s assistant head coach, defensive coordinator, and linebackers coach under head coach and general manager Chris Jones.
Jason Shivers returns to Edmonton after being the Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive coordinator for the past four seasons. In 2023, the Roughriders’ defense ranked ninth in several categories including points allowed (28.3), offensive touchdowns allowed (51), net offense allowed (381.3), and sacks (37). They also ranked eighth in takeaways (29) and tied sixth with the B.C. Lions in interceptions (15).
Before Saskatchewan, Shivers was the Eskimos’ defensive back coach in 2014 and 2015 helping them win the 2015 Grey Cup. As a player, Shivers played five seasons with the Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats with 174 tackles, 19 tackles on special teams, five fumble recoveries, and six interceptions for 57 yards in 57 games, of which 47 were starts.
Shivers was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the fifth round (158th pick) of the 2004 NFL Draft. He also spent time with the Chicago Bears, New York Giants, and the Hamburg Sea Devils.
In addition to Shivers, the Elks added Markus Klund (defensive backs), Albert Poree (running backs), Nate O’Neal (defensive line), and Takoby Cofield (asst. offensive line).
Returning to Edmonton’s coaching staff are Jarious Jackson (offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach), Markus Howell (receivers coach and pass game coordinator), Stephen Sorrells (offensive line coach and run game coordinator), Mike Scheper (special teams coordinator), and Erin Craig (strength and conditioning coach).
Markus Klund follows Shivers to Edmonton. He spent the last two seasons as Saskatchewan’s defensive backs coach. Before Saskatchewan, Klund coached at Southwest Baptist University for nine seasons as an assistant head coach and defensive coordinator.
He helped build SBU into one of the top defenses in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, coaching a total of 41 All-Conference selections from 2013 to 2020. Klund also coached at Lindenwood University-Belleville (2012), Lindenwood University (2009-11), and Parkway West High School (2007-08).
Albert Poree was a running backs coach at Southeastern Louisiana Lions for four seasons. He was one of the key contributors helping the Lions win the 2022 Southland Conference championship and ranked top 10 in the nation in total offense in 2020. Poree also coached at Dartmouth College in 2013 and Mississippi State Bulldogs for two seasons.
Nate O’Neal was a defensive line coach for Under Armor All-America Football for ten years. He was also a defensive line coach for the America team at the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl and served as an advisor for both teams at the East-West Shrine Bowl in 2022.
Takoby Cofield comes to Edmonton after playing seven seasons in both the CFL and NFL. Cofield played under Chris Jones in 2018. Cofield played 15 games playing left tackle with the Roughriders. Cofield also played for the Washington Redskins in 2015, Seattle Seahawks in 2016, and the Oakland Raiders in 2017.
