June Jones steps down at SMU

Sep 8, 2014 - 9:43 PM Dallas, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - June Jones announced Monday he will no longer serve as head coach of the SMU football program, citing personal issues.

The decision comes two games into the young season and less than nine months after Jones signed a contract extension through 2017.

"I have devoted my life for the last 50 years to playing and coaching this game and it has been a great journey. This job has a lot of demands, as you know, and along with that journey comes a price that is paid. I have some personal issues I have been dealing with and I need to take a step away so I can address them at this time," Jones said in a statement.

Associate head coach/defensive coordinator Tom Mason will take over the head coaching reins.

Jones' Mustangs lost 45-0 to Baylor in their season opener and were hammered at North Texas, 43-6, last Saturday.

"As we embark upon the process of identifying our next head football coach, we are positioned to attract quality candidates due to the progress our program has made under June's leadership," SMU director of athletics Rick Hart said. "When we hoist championship trophies in the future, it will be possible because of the groundwork laid by Coach Jones, his staff and our student- athletes."

SMU went 1-11 in Jones' first season of 2008, then reached four straight bowl games before last season's squad finished 5-7.

The Mustangs last reached a bowl game in 1984 before Jones' arrival.