Report: Jones Quits Hawai'i, SMU Next

June Jones has resigned and will head to Dallas to interview for the vacant SMU post

Jan. 6, 2008

HONOLULU, Hawaii (Ticker) - University of Hawaii coach June Jones has resigned and will head to Dallas to interview for the vacant SMU post, according to a report.

The Honolulu Advertiser reported late Saturday that Jones has written to his friends to inform them that he is leaving Hawaii after nine seasons, blaming a lack of loyalty and commitment from the school.

"This breaks his heart," Al Souza, a friend of Jones, told the Advertiser.

The report said Jones has already left for Dallas to speak to SMU officials about becoming the next Mustangs coach. SMU has been without a coach since firing Phil Bennett almost 10 weeks ago following a 1-11 season.

According to a report in the Dallas Morning News on Friday, Jones has been offered between $1.7 million and $2 million to make the move to Dallas.

Jones would be a major loss to Hawaii, having transformed the program during his tenure.

In 2007, Hawaii enjoyed an unbeaten regular season before losing 41-10 to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on Tuesday.

Hawaii had issued a statement earlier this week saying it intended to offer Jones a new contract amid speculation about his future.