CALGARY – Longtime University of Calgary Dinos assistant football coach Jabari Arthur has been named the running backs coach with the Edmonton Elks, the CFL team announced Thursday.

Arthur began his coaching career with the Dinos back in 2017 as the receivers coach before being promoted in 2022 to the offensive coordinator. 

During his tenure, Arthur coached a number of Dinos to postseason honours, including future CFL stars Jalen and Tyson Philpot. He also helped the Dinos to the fifth and most recent Vanier Cup in 2019.

Prior to his coaching days at Calgary, Arthur was a standout receiver of his own on the field. The Montreal native played four seasons in the NCAA at Akron, where he set five university records before graduating. At the professional level, he spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL before a making a name for himself as a two-time Grey Cup champion with the Calgary Stampeders.

"It's bittersweet," Dinos head coach Ryan Sheahan said. "Jabari has been a great mentor to all the student-athletes. He's leaving the school where he won a Vanier Cup as an assistant coach. Like we tall all our student-athletes, when you get a chance to step out and step up, shoot your shot.

"The Elks are getting an accomplished coach and a good man. We're sad to see him leave, but we're happy he's getting an amazing opportunity in the league where he once made a great name for himself being a two-time Grey Cup champion. He's got a lot to offer the game. We're all happy for him, but we'll miss him."

-UC-