Something in the Water
SMU football coach June Jones resigns after blowout losses to Texas teams
SMU head football coach June Jones has abruptly resigned after just two games into the 2014 season. The Mustangs were blown out in both contests, dropping the season opener to Baylor in a 45-0 loss and falling to North Texas 43-6 on September 6.
Jones' agent, Leigh Steinberg, broke the news on Twitter September 8, writing, "June had felt for some time he had accomplished his mission to turn around program and needed a break."
The news appears to have taken SMU by surprise, as the university still included an RSS feed of Jones' tweets on its athletics homepage Monday afternoon. Citing personal issues, Jones released the following statement on his decision.
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. 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. 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.
Jones leaves SMU with an overall 36-43 record since taking over the program in 2008. SMU said that defensive coordinator Tom Mason will coach the Mustangs when they face Texas A&M September 20 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium — which gives fans a whole new reason to appreciate the ability to buy beer during home games this season.
Jones' resignation comes on the heels of another unexpected mid-season signoff in North Texas. Ron Washington resigned as the manager of the Texas Rangers on September 5, also citing personal reasons.
