SMU Can't Pony Up a Single Coach Willing to Take On Its Football Program

The Dallas Morning News and Sporting News say SMU wants June Jones as its next head coach. He says, "Nuh-unh." Very confusing news regarding SMU's hunt for a new football coach. According to The Dallas Morning News yesterday, the school was looking at University of Hawaii head coach June Jones...

By Robert Wilonsky

December 26, 2007

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The Dallas Morning News and Sporting News say SMU wants June Jones as its next head coach. He says, "Nuh-unh."

Very confusing news regarding SMU's hunt for a new football coach. According to The Dallas Morning News yesterday, the school was looking at University of Hawaii head coach June Jones to replace the ousted Phil Bennett. Makes sense: Hawaii's scheduled to play in the Sugar Bowl on January 1. Only, Jones told the home-state newspaper yesterday that not only has he not spoken with SMU, but "I'm not gonna hear from them," meaning he ain't even interested in the gig no one in the wide world of sports seems to want.

So, then, what does Sporting News' Tom Dienhart know that, oh, June Jones doesn't? Because according to Dienhart today, not only is SMU talking to Jones, but the school's already met with him, as in: "He already has had a clandestine interview for the job." So, this is ... what? ... four coaches who've more or less turned down the job? There's always Phil Bennett. --Robert Wilonsky

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