JUNE JONES GETS 2 YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION!!!

[MrMustang1965]

Per Kate @ DMN:

As SMU's first bowl invitation in 25 years nears, the school has extended coach June Jones' contract two years. SMU will make the announcement later today.

The extension keeps Jones on the Hilltop through 2014.

SMU hired Jones in January of 2008, then signing him to a five-year deal worth $2 million a year. New financial terms were not disclosed.

Updated with quotes from the official release:

"I have said since my arrival that we will win at SMU," athletic director Steve Orsini said in a prepared release. "Coach Jones has established a winning culture in our football program and we want to recognize and reward that. This contract extension is a clear statement of our mutual commitment to building on the foundation he has helped establish."

"On behalf of the SMU community, I want to congratulate Coach Jones on the outstanding job that he has done with our football team," President Gerald Turner said. "Football is an integral part of the campus experience and he is reestablishing a winning tradition and a rallying point for the entire University."

"I'm very appreciative of this contract extension and am excited about the direction of the program," said Jones. "I want to thank Steve and President Turner for believing in what we're doing as a team and as a coaching staff. They have been tremendous in terms of their cooperation in rebuilding our program. Their support and the support of the SMU community as a whole have set the table for us to be successful for years to come."

[expony18]

THIS IS GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!!!!

[BIGHORSE]

Awesome news!!!

[mrydel]

Yes it is. It will upset bagice though.

[BUS]

Good job Mr. Orsini and Mr. Turner.
Thanks to the Circle of Champions for the opportunity.

[MrMustang1965]

Christmas just arrived early on The Hilltop!

Here's the official release per the S.M.U. Athletics web site:

http://smumustangs.cstv.com/sports/m-fo ... 9aaa.html#

[skyscraper]

This is fantastic news and a great way to cap off the regular season. Even bigger and better things are in the future for the football program.

[ontheedgeofmyseat]

Well Done, Steve O...well done!!!!

[mustangxc]

Nice to get this out of the way!!!

[davidpaul123]

This is great news. Things are rolling full steam ahead with mustang football. Get on the train or get out of the way. Pony Up! Beat Tulane!

[DiamondM75]

Crap. Two more years of geldings.

[mrydel]

I am at odds with some of the things he is doing off the field, but I cannot argue with the results. He has my support even with the geldings. Knowing that he will get our offense rolling, and after watching Memphis and Tulsa today it emphasised what others have mentioned, that being the first team in the West Division to field a defense is going to be in control. I turly think that within 2 or 3 years we can be dominant in our division.

[ponyscott]

Damn! Great stuff and will help in recruiting as well. Good job Orsini!

[Insane_Pony_Posse]

I don't think he would leave...but if we keep winning some bigger programs may have been tempted....especially if we do even better next year....so this is a "dont even think about it" if any other AD's are snooping around...excellent news!

[Hilltopper]

Yes it is. It will upset bagice though.

Kind of shoots holes in Gomer's "JJ's going to cash a check and race for the islands" theory....