SMU’s athletic department made headlines Wednesday morning as reports circulated the Internet rumoring that Head Coach June Jones was expected to be Arizona State University’s new football coach.

For many SMU students, it seemed as if Jones couldn’t get out of Dallas fast enough despite the fact that SMU was anticipating an official invitation to the Big East Wednesday afternoon.

“Today, students felt as though the most important man on campus doesn’t want to be here,” Annie Bures, a SMU ambassador, said.

Around 4 p.m. SMU officially accepted the Big East invitation at the same time that Jones’ offer to be the ASU head coach was rescinded.

Some students weren’t optimistic about Jones’ return to the Hilltop after he flirted with the idea of head coach at ASU.

“Today, June showed once again his utter lack of respect for or interest in SMU. After the geldings and his war against Peruna, his refusal to wear school colors and the constant yearning to be in Hawaii rather than Dallas,” senior Brad Ray said. “The ASU debacle should be the final straw.”

While students expressed their frustration on Facebook and Twitter, many are grateful for Jones’ work during his tenure at SMU, leading the Mustangs to three consecutive bowl games.

“Anyone who knows what June Jones can do for SMU football knows that it would be beneficial to have him stay, even in light of the ASU debacle,” Bures said.

With a 23-28 record, Jones has revitalized the SMU football. While the majority of students would rather Boulevard than attend games, they say it doesn’t mean they don’t support the team.

“I’m very thankful for the work he and other coaches have done in recruiting high caliber players to continue building the tradition,” Student Body President Austin Prentice said. “I think it is important to focus on an equally important news story from today — SMU accepting an invitation to play in the BIG EAST conference beginning in 2013.”

This season, Jones made it apparent that he has been upset by the lack of student attendance at the games. However, on Wednesday students made it clear that they were offended that he would jump at the next offer so quickly.

“Students want to get behind him and support his permanence here but we need some reassurance that he is here for the right reasons,” Bures said. “We need to know that he is here for the sake of the players, SMU athletics and the entire school.”