After June Jones failed to lead the Mustangs to a winning season in his first year on the Hilltop, expectations are high as the 2009 football season quickly approaches.

Spring practice began yesterday for the team with a 75-minute session, open the public in Ford Stadium and the Pettus Practice Field.

Head Coach June Jones and his staff will hold 14 practice sessions prior to the Red-Blue Scrimmage.

One of the key changes to the Mustang’s defense will the 3-4 lineup, something being introduced by defensive coordination Tom Mason. The defense will practice on Pettus Field, while the offense and special teams players will run drills inside Ford Stadium.

The offense continues to be led by quarterbacks Bo Levi Mitchell, Braden Smith and J.J. McDermott.

Running back Shawnbrey McNeal will be absent from the spring practices, as he recovers from a knee injury and focuses more on academics.

The Mustangs next practice will be on April 1 at 7 a.m. Members of the public are welcome to attend and watch from the stands of Ford Stadium and outside the fence of the Pettus Practice Field.

The SMU football team will debut their new skills in the Red-Blue Scrimmage on April 25 at 1 p.m. inside Ford Stadium.

“Fans, high school coaches, recruits – everyone is welcome to come out and watch,” said Jones in a press release on SMUMustangs.com.