The York University Lions football program has selected new leadership to guide the team into the 2023 season.
 
Brian Jones and Nathaniel Griffith have been named York's associate head coaches for the upcoming year. Since their hiring in the offseason, they have been entrenched in the planning stages for the Lions football season, which begins with training camp opening on Friday, Aug. 11.
 
"I am absolutely thrilled to have Brian and Nathaniel as our two Associate Head Coaches this year," said Alex Dominato, York's Athletic Director. "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!"
 
Jones joined the Lions coaching staff ahead of the 2022 season as the team's special teams coordinator and receivers coach, and has since inherited the title of associate head coach as he ascends into a leadership role for 2023.
 
Prior to a decorated professional career, Jones spent four years at Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S., from 2012-2015. He appeared in 20 games with the Axemen, collecting 113 receptions for 1,394 yards and eight touchdowns. In 2014 Jones was named the AUS most valuable player and represented the AUS as a nominee for the Hec Creighton Trophy. Jones was two-time conference all-star and earned a U SPORTS second-team all-Canadian for his 2015 season.
 
Jones went on to be drafted by the Toronto Argonauts in the first round (fourth overall) in 2016. He played in 44 games the Canadian Football League from 2016-2021 with the Argonauts, Saskatchewan Roughriders and Hamilton Tiger-Cats, winning the 2017 Grey Cup with the Argos.
 
During his career he caught 16 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown over his five seasons in the CFL. He also contributed on Special Teams throughout his career, recording 18 special teams tackles, one blocked punt and three kickoff returns for 15 yards.
 
Nathaniel "Shake" Griffith joined to the Lions coaching staff in 2014 as an offensive assistant, and has since been an integral cog in the Lions offensive inner workings during that period of time.
 
Griffith's time with York extends even further back than his addition to the football staff. He spent three seasons with the Lions as a receiver (2010-12) and was also a team captain. Prior to coming to York he played for the Brampton Bulldogs in the OVFL and at Vanier College.
 
2022 marks Griffith's third year as a head coach in club football. He re-joined the his old minor football organization in Brampton and served as Bulldogs head coach. He also served as a receivers coach for the Bulldogs for three seasons from 2006-2008. In between those stints, he was receiver coach for the York Region Lions in 2015 and 2016, before becoming offensive coordinator for the same team in 2017 – a position he held for two years.
 
The Lions open their 2023 season with a home game Saturday, Aug. 26, when they welcome the Western Mustangs to York Lions Stadium.