SMU Head Coach June Jones resigned Monday afternoon, citing personal issues.
Two days after an embarrassing 43-6 loss to the University of North Texas, Southern Methodist University's head football coach June Jones has unexpectedly resigned, citing personal issues.
After playing and coaching for 50 years,Jones said he's resigning effective immediately to make time to address his life outside of football. He didn't go into further detail about his surprising decision, which comes just two weeks into the 2014 season and nine months after signing a three-year contract extension through 2017.
"This job has a lot of demands, as you know, and along with that journey comes a price that is paid," Jones, 61, said in a written statement. "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."
Athletic Director Rick Hart has named Tom Mason, associate head coach and defensive coordinator, to replace Jones as head coach for the remainder of the season. Dan Morrison and Jason Phillips were named as co-offensive coordinators. The new coaching team will have a bye week to regroup.
Over nearly seven seasons, Jones led SMU to four bowl games. Still, this season's Aug. 31 opener against Baylor resulted in 45-0 loss. Then came Saturday's drubbing by UNT.
Hart and SMU President R. Gerald Turner held a Monday evening press conference at the Dallas-based university to address Jones' abrupt departure.
"He deserves better, I believe, (than) to step down after our previous two performances," Hart said at the press conference. "I would have liked ... if he could have gone out like a winner. Because he is a winner and he's demonstrated during his time at SMU that he's a winner. I hate that the timing was such that he couldn't do that.”
When asked if he had been surprised by Jones' announcement, Hart said, “It wasn't a decision that he reached easily, but it was one that he felt, and we agreed, was best for him and for SMU."
As for the team's reaction, “they were surprised and saddened," Turner told the media.
"They gave Coach Jones a standing ovation and very deservedly so,” he added. “It was very emotional. I know that they'll be ready to go and to prepare and get back out to practice tomorrow."
Hart had nothing but praise for Jones, calling him one of the most influential individuals in SMU football in the past several decades. "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," he said earlier in the day.
SMU plans to conduct a national search for a new head coach. Hart declined to comment on the process until they are ready to announce a permanent replacement for Jones. His plan, Hart said, is to reestablish the university as one of the top athletic programs in the American Athletic Conference. Turner seconded the sentiment at the press conference
"Right now, what is at hand is to make sure that Tom Mason and the coaches and the players have all the support that they can have during this transition period,” Turner said to reporters. "We're asking at this time, as well, that all of the Mustang Nation pull together and really provide them with the support that they deserve for these last 10 games."
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