SMU football head coach June Jones has been on the job for only 13 months, but in that short time he has sent his message loud and clear.
His much-publicized three strikes policy led to numerous suspensions last season, and just last week he made the decision to cut nine scholarship players from the team-several of whom have said that they will appeal the decision.
Jones, in the midst of the controversy, explained his policies and expectations at the SMU Faculty Club Distinguished Luncheon on Wednesday.
“It was a hard decision to make,” said Jones in front of about 70 SMU teachers and administrators packed into the Faculty Club dining room. “But I made the decision in the best interest of, believe it or not, the kids…It’s a privilege to play football at SMU. Your contract [scholarship] is for one year, not four or five years.”
All athletes released from their scholarships are sent an appeals form in the mail, and they have the option to take the case before a university committee. If they win the appeal they still remain off the team, but they retain their athletic scholarships.
Jones said that the majority of the nine players had violated team rules and had “no objection.” However, a couple others have voiced their disagreements and are still confused about why they were let go.
“I have still, to this current date, not been given any factual reason that had any kind of proof to why they have decided to not renew my scholarship,” stated sophomore linebacker Taylor Bon in an e-mail sent last weekend. He said on Wednesday that he is appealing the decision.
Redshirt freshman linebacker Benjamin Goldthorpe confirmed, in an e-mail, that he will appeal the decision as well. A couple other players are also considering taking action.
In an interview after the luncheon, Jones did not comment on why specific players were released, except to say, “life isn’t fair sometimes.” He said that he even encouraged several players to appeal the decision, despite the fact that the team would lose the scholarships if the players win on appeal.
There has been speculation that Jones made the cuts to free up scholarships for future recruits, but he denied that those allegations are true. The team is allowed 85 scholarships.
“That had no bearing [on the decision],” said Jones. “We’ll play short of those kids.”
BOOSTING EXPECTATIONS
Jones came to SMU after a 12-1 season at the University of Hawaii, where he resurrected a dying program. He said that the team’s trip to the Sugar Bowl in 2008 was “a bigger deal than when Hawaii became a state.”
Despite high expectations in Jones’ opening season at SMU, the Mustangs stumbled to a 1-11 record. He promised redemption at Wednesday’s luncheon.
“I’d be really disappointed if over the next 24 months we’re not in a bowl game,” said Jones. “If not, y’all should fire me.”
He recently inked 25 players to National Letters of Intent for the 2009 season and called it “the best recruiting class on paper at SMU in maybe 25 years.”
He singled out Estonian track star Margus Hunt, who hasn’t played a down of football in his life. Hunt (6-foot-7, 270 pounds) is a world-class discuss thrower and runs a 4.7-second 40-yard dash. He is projected as a defensive lineman.
“If I was in the NFL, I would’ve signed this guy,” said Jones. “After four years with me, or maybe three years, he may be a first- or second-round draft pick.”
In addition to picking up additional talent, Jones said one of the first keys to turning the program around is establishing discipline, both on the field and off it. He allows players three “strikes”-whether they be missed practices, study halls, weight-lifting sessions or classes-per semester.
If the players violate the three-strike policy, they are suspended for two games. If the behavior persists over a span of two semesters, the players are booted.
“You can’t compromise attitude or behavior if everyone isn’t on same page,” said Jones. He said that in his first two years at Hawaii, he released 25 or 30 players, and he said it is fairly commonplace for new coaches to make dramatic roster changes in the first couple years.
