During today's press conference for the 2011 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl everyone took notice to the big "elephant in the room". Reports started yesterday that SMU head coach June Jones was offered $3.5 million to leave the Mustangs and coach the University of Maryland Terps. Coach Jones signed an extension earlier in the year that gives him $2 million per year to revitalize the SMU football program.
When asked about the reports, Coach said, "Those things happen when you have success. That wasn't the first time this year, and probably not going to be the last time when I'm at SMU. I'm committed to being here. I'm pleased and happy with where I am. I made a commitment to my kids. That's why I'm here."
Coach Jones was asked later about how many schools have contacted him he said, "One this year. I did talk...and again it was telephone and never with the officials, but with the search companies calling."
With the Armed Forces Bowl being an ESPN bowl, several questions were aimed at the repercussions from the 2 hour 30 for 30 special the network aired titled "Pony Excess". A documentary detailing the harsh realities of NCAA violations that led to the "death penalty" for the program. "We've walked through airports with our SMU on and get stopped. Where is SMU? What does that stand for? Just the recent replay over and over probably 15, 20 times on ESPN of the 30 for 30, they won't ask that question anymore." He went on to say, "I did learn a lot that I didn't know. I knew a lot of those players, I coached a lot of those guys...so it was kind of educational and at the same time; our players and recruits kind of came away with the feeling of wow! It did put a lot of energy back into [the program]."
