SMU Takes Next Step Toward Restoring Program Under June Jones

Filed under: SMU, UCF, Conference USA

June Jones didn't expect to play for a conference title this early.

The third-year SMU coach wasn't sure what type of team he'd have, especially with the loss of star receiver Emmanuel Sanders, running back Shawnbrey McNeal and a slew of defensive players. His young team also was just learning how to win. A year ago, Jones led SMU to its first bowl game since 1984. So the idea that it would be ready to play for a conference championship -- the first since that last bowl year -- seemed a little bit far-fetched.

"I would be lying if I said that, just like I would be lying if I said that we would win a bowl game last year," Jones said. "It is a goal that we had and set for ourselves after our bowl game at the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl last year. We said that wanted to take the next step and we did -- winning the West in the conference. That was a positive step."

SMU shared the Southwest Conference title with Houston back in 1984 before NCAA sanctions crippled the program. Jones brought it back to life last season with an 8-5 record, including a stunning upset of Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl. The Mustangs shared the Conference USA West division title with Houston last season, but because they lost the head-to-head matchup, the Cougars went on to play East Carolina for the overall title.

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