June Jones resigns as Southern Methodist coach

Southern Methodist Coach June Jones resigned Monday only two games into his seventh season at the school, citing “some personal reasons” for his sudden decision.

The resignation, effective immediately, came after the Mustangs scored only one touchdown while losing their first two games this year.

“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,” Jones said in a statement released by the school. “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.”

The 61-year-old Jones, who was 36-43 at SMU after nine seasons at Hawaii, didn’t elaborate on what those personal issues were.

Jones’ agent, Leigh Steinberg sent out a tweet Monday in which he wrote that Jones “had felt for some time he had accomplished mission to turn around program and needed a break.”

Defensive coordinator Tom Mason, who was Jones’ associate head coach, was elevated to the top job for the rest of the season.

Etc.

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