The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed defensive coordinator Jason Shivers to a two-year contract extension through the 2021 season.

Defensively, pundits questioned whether the massive void left by Chris Jones could be filled by a rookie coordinator, but Shivers answered the call to duty. Saskatchewan allowed the fewest points in the West Division (386), the lowest amount of offensive touchdowns in the league (30), and net offence per game (294). The Riders also tied for the CFL sack lead with 56.

Defensive lineman Charleston Hughes and linebacker Derrick Moncrief were named CFL all-stars after playing in Shivers’ scheme.

Prior to being named defensive coordinator, Shivers served as the Roughriders defensive backs coach for three seasons after joining the club in 2016. Shivers will be entering his eighth year as a CFL coach having spent time with the Toronto Argonauts and the Edmonton Eskimos, wining a Grey Cup in 2015.

Prior to coaching, Shivers was an NFL and CFL defensive back. The now 37-year-old spent two seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and two with Toronto. In 56 career CFL regular-season games, Shivers registered 175 defensive tackles, 22 special-teams tackles and seven interceptions. He spent one season with the Chicago Bears after originally being selected by the St. Louis Rams in the fifth round, 158th overall, of the 2004 NFL draft.

Shivers’ agreement matches up with head coach Craig Dickenson.