The Edmonton Elks named Greater Johnstown High School graduate Geroy Simon interim general manager of the Canadian Football League franchise Monday.
Simon, 48, had been the assistant general manager prior to Edmonton’s parting with general manager/head coach Chris Jones.
The Elks, who opened the CFL season 0-5 and were 8-33 under Jones in two-plus seasons, named offensive coordinator Jarious Jackson as the interim head coach.
“It’s tough,” Simon said during an interview posted on the Elks’ YouTube. “Chris (Jones) has given me a great opportunity to come here to Edmonton and work and learn under him, but we are where we are. It’s time to try to turn this thing around.”
Simon played 15 CFL seasons and is the league’s all-time career leader with 16,352 receiving yards and is second all-time with 1,029 receptions. He had 103 career TD catches as part of three Grey Cup championship teams with the British Columbia Lions (two) and Saskatchewan Roughriders (one).
Simon stood out in football, basketball and track and field at Greater Johnstown before playing Division I football at the University of Maryland.
Mike Mastovich is a sports reporter and columnist for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at (814) 532-5083. Follow him on Twitter @Masty81.
