June Jones statement on 'Group of Five' comments

[PonyPride]

Released through SMU athletic department:

"My recent comments about the non-‘Group of Five’ conferences possibly moving their football seasons to the spring were my own, and not those of SMU or the American Athletic Conference. Not being in one of these leagues creates unique challenges, and requires us to think out of the box. My comments were an example of this, and, I hope, triggered others to do so as well.

“Our conference experienced a great deal of national success in its first season. Two teams were ranked in the top 15 of the final AP poll and five were selected for bowl games. At SMU, we strive for that same level of success and will compete for American Athletic Conference Championships. We want to compete with and beat teams from the ‘Group of Five.’

“All that said, with the season approaching quickly, my hope is to put this issue behind us and move forward. My focus will be on SMU and my team. Any further questions or comments concerning our future as a school or conference can be directed to SMU Athletic Director Rick Hart or American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco.”

June Jones

[StallionsModelT]

What an idiot.

[East Coast Mustang]

Translation: Rick and Aresco were pissed.

Also, WTF? "We want to compete with and beat teams from the ‘Group of Five.’"

No [deleted], June. We'd also like to beat TCU and Baylor and A&M. Who the hell proofread this?

EDIT: Actually I think he meant "Group of Five" to mean the five power conferences.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

It was nice of June to sit down and take time to write that statement to clarify his comments.

[skyscraper]

Hot seat officially activated.

[East Coast Mustang]

Hot seat officially activated.

Yeah. June better find a way to piece together 6+ wins if he wants another $2M check in 2015

[Dark Horse]

Not sure this makes his seat any hotter or cooler. Looks like basic PR-speak that the university had to put out there.

[East Coast Mustang]

Not sure this makes his seat any hotter or cooler. Looks like basic PR-speak that the university had to put out there.

I'd imagine Rick Hart didn't want to deal with this in the first place. Having to put out a press release to CYA is typically not a good look

[Stallion]

Rick Hart just placed that statement in June Jones Termination File

Its becoming increasingly obvious that Rick Hart is exerting a leadership role over Littl' June Jones

[East Coast Mustang]

The Rick Hart haters have been quiet recently.

[birddogger]

I'm glad that we're not the only ones who are more than a little annoyed and embarrassed by JJ's off-the-wall comments. It's clear that we and our other non-5 brethren are on the outside looking in, but it doesn't mean that we are a "have not." We have proven that we have the resources available to thrive in a pay-for-play college football format.

His comments should tip the scales against keeping him if the upcoming season is only mediocre.

[LA_Mustang]

Rick Hart just placed that statement in June Jones Termination File

Its becoming increasingly obvious that Rick Hart is exerting a leadership role over Littl' June Jones

Yep. This did not sit well with Rick Hart or the AAC. I like how Hart responded quickly.

[East Coast Mustang]

At this point, has JJ mailed it in and accepted his fate, or does he have any interest in even collecting checks here past this season?

His tone deaf comments lead be to believe he's on cruise control, but the uptick in recruiting (the likes of which we hadn't seen since before the ASU debacle) suggests otherwise.

[skyscraper]

At this point, has JJ mailed it in and accepted his fate, or does he have any interest in even collecting checks here past this season?

His tone deaf comments lead be to believe he's on cruise control, but the uptick in recruiting (the likes of which we hadn't seen since before the ASU debacle) suggests otherwise.

I thought he was giving it one last shot w/the seemingly increased effort in recruiting. But those USFL comments is definition of one step forward, two steps back.
Maybe he can't get out of his own way on this one.

[East Coast Mustang]

The thing that really chaps my [deleted] is that June could be an awesome recruiter if he just gave a [deleted]. He's got NFL head coaching experience, a lot of ties with NFL coaching staffs, and has a decent track record of getting guys in the league. Plus, from everything I've heard from players who have played under him, he's a really good guy who cares about his players and takes a genuine interest in their personal success off the field. He also does some commendable things in the community that don't get a lot of press, partially because he doesn't really seek out attention (besides the movie!)

I just don't understand why he has such little interest in selling himself and the program to higher caliber recruits- he has a lot to offer as a coach and SMU as a program has a lot of unique things to offer. Hell, we did the "Recruiting Blitz" for two weeks and picked up some solid recruits as a result- Proche, McCrary, Scott twins, Kearns, Marvis- that's the foundation for a nice class. But then you hear things like Darrell Miller at Cedar Hill not even knowing he's been offered and you just have to slap the table again in disgust