Official Release: Jones Steps Down As SMU Head Coach

[Webmaster]

Jones Steps Down As SMU Head Coach

MEDIA AVAILABILITY: SMU President R. Gerald Turner and Director of Athletics Rick Hart will be available at 7 p.m. tonight in the Tamra & John Gorman Mustang Auditorium in the lower level of the Loyd All-Sports Center.

DALLAS (SMU) – Citing personal issues, June Jones has resigned as head coach of the SMU football program effective immediately. SMU Director of Athletics Rick Hart has named Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator Tom Mason head coach for the remainder of the year, and tabbed Associate Head Coach/Quarterbacks Coach Dan Morrison and Co-Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach Jason Phillips as co-offensive coordinators.

"This afternoon, I talked to my staff and players and notified them that I have decided to resign as SMU head football coach effective immediately,” said Jones. “It was a very difficult decision for me to make, as you can imagine. I have devoted my life for the last 50 years to playing and coaching this game and it has been a great journey. This job has a lot of demands, as you know, and along with that journey comes a price that is paid. I have some personal issues I have been dealing with and I need to take a step away so I can address them at this time.

“We have some talented and really good kids, who just happen to be young. Tom Mason will take over the head coaching duties. Tom has done a great job with the defense since coming to SMU. This being a bye week will give all the coaches and players a chance to evaluate themselves and make the changes needed for their preparation in getting ready for the next couple games and conference play the rest of the way. I would like to thank all the people here at SMU that have supported the vision we have had here. I feel we have made SMU relevant again in football by going to four bowls in my six years as a Mustang. I am very thankful for the opportunity I was given and wish only the best for the players, coaches and administration at SMU."

“June Jones has been one of the most influential individuals on SMU football since it returned to the Hilltop in 1989,” said Hart. “In addition to reestablishing SMU as a winner, June has helped shape the university and athletics department in ways which benefit student-athletes and coaches across all sports.

“June’s decision to resign was his own, and we thank him for his efforts and wish him the best.

“As we embark upon the process of identifying our next head football coach, we are positioned to attract quality candidates due to the progress our program has made under June’s leadership. When we hoist championship trophies in the future, it will be possible because of the groundwork laid by Coach Jones, his staff and our student-athletes.”

“I want to thank Coach Jones for his efforts reestablishing our winning tradition in football," said President R. Gerald Turner. “I also want to thank him for his commitment to nurturing well-rounded student-athletes. June has demonstrated a real devotion to the young men in his care and to serving the community. As a result, our student-athletes leave SMU as better people. He has earned the respect and admiration of many all across campus and in the community, and his contributions to our program will be lasting.”

Hart added, “We are committed to giving Coach Mason, Coach Morrison, Coach Phillips, the staff and our student-athletes our very best this season. There is still a lot to play for and we will move forward together. At the appropriate time, we will begin the search process. It will be a national search, and we will do it the right way. We will not comment on that process until we are ready to announce our selection.

“Just as our university aspires to greatness, we seek to establish SMU as the top athletics program in the American Athletic Conference,” Hart said. “We will promote and protect the assets we have – our people, our university, the city of Dallas, our history and tradition, our facilities, support services, our strong conference affiliation and media rights contracts and our enthusiastic and engaged alumni and donor base – and we will win championships on the Hilltop.”

[Arkpony]

Immediately!

[MustangStealth]

Get ready for some record setting site visitor counts.

[ghost]

Feelings may be bitter now but time will be very kind to June Jones. He will be remembered in so many positive ways by fans and his players but yet with "what if" questions of what could have been if he and his staff would have been totally committed instead of 3/4 committed.

[stc9]

I want to give a quick "tip of the cap" to Brad Sutton. This press release was a classy send off amidst so much anger in the community.

[floridianstang]

Where can we watch the press conference?

[Charleston Pony]

talk about timing...this weekend, I had decided that if JJ doesn't resign by tomorrow that I was done supporting SMU...at least until he is gone and we show the same commitment to football as we have for bball. I get home today and in my mail is the SMU Unbridled 100 campaign solicitation with the 5 step lighting map proposal. My 1st reaction is that I have an opportunity to make a statement. Then I come in and read today's news. My optimism is renewed...but I want to see how this HC vacancy is handled before deciding what I can afford (and of course what Mrs CP will agree to). We all know that a school's athletic programs are the front porch of the University and we have an opportunity to spruce ours up.

[CenTXpony]

I'm really glad that his tenure here ended in resignation rather than termination... Im thankful for the bowl games, but change was definitely needed. I wish nothing but the best for him moving forward.

[Johnny Utah]

Did anyone notice Hart said "we seek to establish SMU as the top athletics program in the American Athletic Conference,” Hart said. I guess TOP 25 is no longer the policy. You could be TOP 50 in the nation and at the same time be the Top team in the AAC... Seems we have lowered our goals....Top 25 is not impossible. Definitely think this was intentional. Sad

[mrydel]

And the Commissioner of the AAC says we are as strong as the P5 schools. So if you want to interpret everything you read in whatever manner you see fit, I say this means the top of the AAC should be considered for a playoff spot.

See, I can play that game too.

[Johnny Utah]

An ESPN says the AAC is level 2 (but not in words but instead through their tiny cash payment for ACC rights). Money always clears any confusion as to the reality of a situation.... I'm just sad Hart has accepted SMU's future as a Subclass D-II school. At least Orsini wasn't going to let SMU go down without a fight..... At least Larry Brown tells HBO we are going to win NCAA Tournament championships.

[Rebel10]

An ESPN says the AAC is level 2 (but not in words but instead through their tiny cash payment for ACC rights). Money always clears any confusion as to the reality of a situation.... I'm just sad Hart has accepted SMU's future as a Subclass D-II school. At least Orsini wasn't going to let SMU go down without a fight..... At least Larry Brown tells HBO we are going to win NCAA Tournament championships.

Well actually Brown says the goal is to win the national championship. But I see your point.

[floridianstang]

Did anyone notice Hart said "we seek to establish SMU as the top athletics program in the American Athletic Conference,” Hart said. I guess TOP 25 is no longer the policy. You could be TOP 50 in the nation and at the same time be the Top team in the AAC... Seems we have lowered our goals....Top 25 is not impossible. Definitely think this was intentional. Sad

I wouldn't read too much into that. Turner said we will do anything to put us at par with P5 schools. The school is committed, and I am glad we got rid of June and his "the level we are" bullcrap