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If they like old guys, hiring Mack should be a no-brainer. Mack picked UT up off the ground and made it a national contender every year. He can do the same at SMU, which has money, resources, and — as the only school of note in Dallas — has a tremendous recruiting advantage. In fact, it’s a crime that SMU doesn’t own Dallas-area recruiting. It should be able to lock that city down. (Editor’s note: See North Texas’ 43-6 win as an example that SMU doesn’t own it.) This advice comes with a caveat. Mack isn’t your long-term coach. Mack is your Big Splash, Resuscitate The Program hire. After his first 10-win season, fire him and bring in a much younger guy. Read more: http://blog.mysanantonio.com/roy-bragg/2014/09/mack-brown-to-smu-it-could-work/

Two games removed from signing a contract extension, June Jones resigned as SMU’s football coach on Monday, citing personal issues. Jones, 61, resurrected football on the Hilltop, breaking a 25-year bowl drought with four straight bowl appearances. After a 1-11 first year in 2008, Jones guided the Mustangs to a 35-32 record over the last five years, including three bowl victories. Defensive coordinator Tom Mason will serve as head coach for the rest of the season. SMU officials will organize a search committee to find a successor. Blowout losses to Baylor and North Texas, on the heels of last year’s 5-7 finish, ignited a social media firestorm of criticism. Many fans, embarrassed by being outscored 88-6 in the first two games, were calling for his dismissal. Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/smu-mustangs/20140908-smu-football-coach-june-jones-to-resign.ece

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2014/09/08/smu-football-june-jones-resigns/15301473/ Boom.

UNT the Coach Killer by Sam I Am » Tue Sep 09, 2014 1:01 pm read more: http://ponyfans.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=74029

I don’t know if SMU would have outright fired June Jones during the season. Maybe they wouldn’t have fired him at all. But it can’t really come as a surprise that Jones is stepping down after two games, because SMU lost those two games by a cumulative score of 88-6. And one of those games was against UNT. Read more: http://frontburner.dmagazine.com/2014/09/08/smu-coach-june-jones-to-resign/

On the biggest disappointment from the loss: The biggest disappointment was turning the ball over. We have young guys on special teams that make bad decisions on kickoffs and punts, and that puts us at a tremendous disadvantage when we turn it over five times. If we dont turn it over and make bad decisions in the return game then youre probably happy with the defense. I thought we gave up one cheap one that they shouldnt have got, but that happens when youre frustrated. Like I said, were a long way from where we need to be. On the quarterback situation: Well, Neal (Burcham) hurt his elbow, so he didnt play in the second half. Kolney (Cassel) does some good things, but hes just really young. I think hes going to do some good things one day. He likes competition. He has enough arm to make all the throws. Hes just got to get through the experience part, the young part of playing the game. Most of his time was against their mop up crew, which is pretty good experience. Read more: http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/2014/09/frustrated-smu-coach-june-jones-were-a-long-way-from-where-we-need-to-be.html/

4. Run over- SMU’s front seven was expected to be a strength this season with all three starters returning on the defensive line. But the group was absolutely dominated in Denton. North Texas’ offensive line overpowered the Mustangs and opened up some huge running lanes for Reggie Pegram, Jeffrey Wilson and Antoinne Jimmerson. The three backs combined for 190 yards and two touchdowns. If SMU keeps this up, opposing teams are going to gash the Ponies right up the gut. SMU was simply outmuscled, outplayed and outcoached. It looks like it’s going to be a long season for head coach June Jones and defensive line coach Bert Hill. Read more: http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/2014/09/5-thoughts-smu-physically-outplayed-in-43-6-blowout-loss-to-north-texas.html/

On the quarterbacks’ performance: “It was difficult for the quarterbacks. We didn’t have time to even take three steps and get a read. That’s tough to evaluate. I would think two quarterbacks will play (on Saturday vs. North Texas). On the importance of a good start against UNT: “It’s just important to finish the game and win, that’s what’s important.” Read more: http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/2014/09/smus-june-jones-on-the-brazos-blowout-fog-of-war-and-using-2-qbs-vs-unt.html/

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SMU is out to prove that last year was simply a bump in the road and not a sign of things to come. In 2013, the Mustangs stumbled out of the gates, finished with a 5-7 record and missed a bowl game for the first time since 2008, when June Jones finished 1-11 in his first year with the program. SMU still has plenty of question marks including who will be the starting quarterback in the opener at Baylor, but Jones, who is 36-41 in six years on the Hilltop is optimistic about his team, which has some young talent and five starters returning on both sides of the ball. read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/headlines/20140821-college-football-preview-smu-football-tries-to-get-back-on-track.ece

UNIVERSITY PARK — SMU finally has depth on defense, having stocked the program with faster and more athletic prospects. The Mustangs can only hope their young players develop as quickly as they run. Deadline for realizing potential is Aug. 31, when SMU opens against reigning Big 12 champion Baylor. The Mustangs, prone to injuries and big plays last year, are confident their numbers equal strength. “All in all, the young guys have done a good job of coming together, hustling and playing hard,” coach June Jones said. “But they are going to have to grow up in a hurry.” With SMU’s offense in transition from the departure of quarterback Garrett Gilbert, the need for help from the defense is dire. Sophomore quarterback Neal Burcham may develop into a top-ranked passer. But it’s a tad unrealistic to think he’s going to win a shootout over one of the nation’s most prolific offenses. Or against their other nonconference opponents, North Texas, Texas A&M and TCU. The Mustangs ranked 114th nationally in pass defense (271.8 ypg) and 100th in points allowed (33.3) last season. Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/smu-mustangs/20140817-smu-football-preview-mustangs-finally-have-defensive-depth-but-youth-means-ponies-need-to-grow-up-quick.ece

Five things to watch with SMU this season: BOUNCING BACK: June Jones has never had consecutive losing seasons as a head coach, and bounced back nicely from each of the three sub-.500 records in his 15 years. After a 1-11 debut at SMU in 2008, the Mustangs were 8-5 in 2009. He had six-win improvements after his losing seasons at Hawaii - from 3-9 in 2000 to 9-3, and then from 5-7 in 2005 to 11-3. CLOSE, BUT ... : SMU had 50 drives inside the 20 last season, and scored touchdowns on only 27 of them. Add in 12 field goals and the Mustangs ranked 97th out of 123 FBS teams last year in red-zone scoring at 78 percent. They lost three games by four points or less. LONE STAR REUNIONS: All four of SMU's nonconference games are against Texas teams, three of them old Southwest Conference rivals. The Mustangs open Aug. 31 at Big 12 champion Baylor's new campus stadium, then go to North Texas on Sept. 6. After an off week, they have home games against Texas A&M and TCU before the American Athletic Conference opener Oct. 4 at East Carolina. Read more: http://campusinsiders.com/news/smu-ready-to-throw-again-after-losing-season

"We are as talented as we have been since I have been at SMU." Coach June Jones at the @american_conf football media day.

3. Non-conference slate- SMU has one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country. With the season right around the corner, you can bet this will be a hot topic at media days. SMU opens the year at Baylor in brand new McLane Stadium, hosts TCU and Texas A&M and hits the road for what should be a dandy of a game against North Texas, which is coming off a sensational 2013 season. The Mustangs could easily be 0-4 heading into conference play, making a bowl game appearance nearly impossible. Read more: http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/2014/07/three-smu-media-day-storylines-to-follow-what-will-june-jones-say-next-qb-controversy-brewing.html/

Days on the Hilltop werent very bright not too long ago. After SMU received the notorious Death Penalty, the Mustangs failed to experience the same success they did in the late 70s and early 80s. In fact, SMU had just one winning season over the next 20 years. Quarterback Richard Bartel, who went on to play for the Dallas Cowboys, was part of those dark and dreary days. Bartel suited up for the Ponies in 2003 but left the program after one season to give professional baseball a try he eventually ended his college football career with Tarleton State. Read more: http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/2014/07/ex-smu-qb-richard-bartel-june-jones-deserves-more-money.html/

Jones didnt stop there. He even went as far as to say that if his radical idea isnt considered, Group of Five schools will simply start dropping football. Now, Group of Five commissioners, who vehemently disagree with Jones concept, are firing back. We have no interest in doing that and have no plans to discuss or look into it, American Athletic commissioner Mike Aresco told ESPN.com. Our position is clear. We are an integral part of the fabric of FBS college football. Our conference is and will be extremely competitive and our goal is to play at the highest level, compete for playoff and host bowl spots and challenge the Power Five. We want to be in the power conference conversation and, sooner than later, be regarded as the sixth power conference. Read more: http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/2014/07/commissioners-of-have-not-conferences-fire-back-at-smus-june-jones.html/

SMU football coach June Jones, Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle and Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington teamed up to support the Positive Coaching Alliance for North Texas in the Coffee with the Coaches at the American Airlines Center on Wednesday. The program also included PCA founder and CEO Jim Thompson and Mavericks radio play-by-play announcer Chuck Cooperstein. Since its founding in 1998, PCA has provided impact workshops for youth and high school coaches, parents and youth sports organization leaders and high school student-athletes. Jones, 61, is starting his seventh season with the Mustangs. Do you see yourself finishing your career with SMU? I dont know how to answer that. Im probably going to coach three to five more years somewhere. I get really attached to my kids, so its hard to move, its very difficult for me. Most of the kids come because youre the coach. So they made the commitment, and I always talk about commitment. So its very hard to move. What are your thoughts on the new College Football Playoff, a four-team, seeded playoff? I see the [old] BCS probably going into four conferences, like they wanted originally. Were at five [power conferences] now, but I think theres still one more movement coming. Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/06/25/5928923/qa-smus-june-jones-says-hell-coach.html#storylink=cpy

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SMU: The school has announced a three-year extension for Jones, through the 2017 season. "Coach Jones and his staff have successfully engineered our football program's journey from relative obscurity to competitive relevance," SMU AD Rick Hart said. Read more: http://www.footballscoop.com/the-scoop SMU fans discguss: http://ponyfans.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=69758&sid=6ad5d5d31ab1590e8b10f06ceda5df61 SMU fans discguss part 2: http://ponyfans.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=69652&sid=6ad5d5d31ab1590e8b10f06ceda5df61

UNIVERSITY PARK SMU football coach June Jones needs a victory Saturday against Central Florida for his team to become eligible for its fifth straight bowl. A loss would leave the Mustangs with their first losing record since Jones debut season of 2008. Either way, Jones appears safe in terms of job security. He said Wednesday that he will decide after the season on an offer from SMU to extend his contract. Jones has 19 months (through the 2014 season) remaining on his current deal, which pays about $2 million annually through June 2015. "We've talked about it", Jones said when asked about his contract status. "They wanted to extend me, but I just dont like dealing with that during the season". "I've got two years really on my contract". "I'll probably end up extending it, but well talk about it at the end of the season." SMU athletic director Rick Hart declined to comment, citing the schools policy of not talking about contract negotiations. You can expect the school to move quickly after the season to avoid uncertainty during recruiting. It seems unlikely that SMU officials would change their minds regarding the contract renewal offer, given Jones unprecedented run of success. But there is no buyout clause in the final year. Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/headlines/20131204-smu-coach-june-jones-says-he-has-contract-extension-offer-in-hand-will-probably-sign-it-after-season.ece