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epicsurvivorJune Jones set to take over at SMU…
June Jones is giving up the paradise of Hawaii for the daunting task of trying to restore SMU to football respectability.
Jones, who coached Hawaii to an unbeaten regular season, resisted an emotional plea from Warriors fans as well as the governor and decided Monday to return to the mainland to guide a team that finished 1-11.
He agreed to a 5-year deal with SMU, which will pay him about $2 million a year, agent Leigh Steinberg told The Associated Press.
“He slept on it, finally came to peace and arrived at a decision,” Steinberg said. “I think he’s exhilarated by the challenge, by the environment.”
Steinberg expected SMU to hold an afternoon news conference to introduce their new coach. SMU officials did not immediately respond to a telephone message seeking comment.
Interesting. It must have been hard to leave the great set-up in Hawaii, but 2 million a year for five years ain’t too shabby. Read more from Jim Vertuno.
Filed under: football
Ol’June did a good job out there, but being in Hawaii for a week versus several years is not the same thing. The cost of living alone is a prime motivation for many people moving to the Dallas area.
As for the opportunity at SMU, my old friend Coach Bennett left the program in better shape than the one he came into. The recruiting efforts for June’s style of play has just been made easier by an order of magnitude I can’t put a number on. Not only are a large percentage of our high schools running the spread offense, they even have an organized 7 on 7 league in the summer, where a champion is crowned, just before the regular football season begins. 7 on 7 is just flinging the ball all over the place, and is an excellent opportunity for skill players to develop.
The talk around here in Dallas is about the money. An unusually high salary for SMU, and I’m sure it will create some animosity with tenured professors and alumni, as it is a small private school. Also, the school doesn’t compromise on scholastic achievement, which automatically precludes a large segment of the available recruiting pool.
I wish him well. SMU is a great little school, and they deserve some athletic success.
Meant to say last night, while I was out riding yesterday, I had Troy Aikman’s new house pointed out to me, which took three years to build. It’s in Highland Park, and is only minutes away from SMU.
His house?
WOW!
That Ol’Country boy from Oklahoma sure has gone and done good for hisself.