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Khari Jones will be wearing two hats after being named interim head coach of the Alouettes.

Jones, who has been the team’s offensive coordinator, added the head coaching duties Saturday when the Alouettes announced the departure of Mike Sherman, who was beginning his second season as head coach.

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“I always thought that if I was in this position, this is the way I would want to do it,” the 48-year-old Jones said when asked about handling the dual responsibilities. “I’ll rely on the defensive coaches, but I’ve seen the defence by going up against them in camp and I’ve sat in on some defensive meetings.”

There is some urgency in getting up to speed because the Alouettes had to declare their opening-day roster by 10 p.m. Saturday and the team will play its first regular-season game Friday in Edmonton.

General manager Kavis Reed said he and Sherman had been talking for several days and reached a mutual agreement a change was necessary. Reed said Sherman recognized he was behind the curve when it came to adjusting to the Canadian Football League and he thought it was best for the team if he stepped down.