Three of the four SMU football players who appealed the decision to take away their scholarships have come out victorious.
Sophomore redshirt linebacker Taylor Bon and sophomore defensive ends Anthony Sowe and Jordan Johnson had their scholarships reinstated on March 27.
Redshirt freshman running back Ben Goldthorpe did not have his scholarship renewed.
The appeals came after head coach June Jones’ decision to release nine players from the team on Feb. 10. In a statement e-mailed to the media, he said: “A few student-athletes failed to adhere to our department policies and/or team rules, and because of that, they are no longer part of our program.”
However, Jones acknowledged a week later at a Faculty Club luncheon that some of the players had not blatantly violated specific team policy.
“Usually 80, 85 or 90 percent of players have no objection [to the releases],” said Jones in an earlier interview. “But there were two or three kids [that objected], and I shared with them that sometimes life isn’t fair. … I told them that you don’t have to agree with the decision, but life isn’t always fair.”
Since Jones took over at SMU 13 months ago, he has set his strict disciplinarian policy into action.
He benched then-starting quarterback Justin Willis before spring practice in 2008 for a violation of team rules. Then, with two weeks left in a floundering season, he suspended the team’s top two offensive playmakers, wide receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Aldrick Robinson.
Former SMU punter/kicker Thomas Morstead said that Jones’ disciplinarian style was much needed, even though the results did not translate to the field in a disappointing 1-11 season.
“He doesn’t have bark, but he’s got a really big bite,” said Morstead, who is a prospect in this April’s NFL Draft.
Even the released players admitted a high degree of respect for their former coach.
“[Bennett] was more outspoken,” said Sowe. “June Jones is really quiet, but he gets his point across.”
“He’s trying to do whatever it takes to win,” said Odiari. “There are rules set, and if you violate them, there are going to be consequences.”
Jones said there would be no more cuts this semester, but next year he hopes and expects that he will have to dole out fewer consequences.
“It’s an honor to be on scholarship,” Jones said. “A person needs to be accountable.”
