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SMU AD defends June Jones

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SMU athletic director Steve Orsini defended the statement issued by coach June Jones that violations of "department policies and/or team rules" applied to all nine football players released from the program. A second player, sophomore linebacker Taylor Bon, sought to clear his name Friday. Bon, who has a 3.3 GPA and no strikes under Jones' "three-strikes" disciplinary policy, said the statement implied that the reason he was let go was because he was a troublemaker. "I don't want my reputation hurt," Bon said. SMU president Gerald Turner is aware of the releases, a spokesman said, but was unavailable for comment Friday. Orsini, who said he is not able to comment specifically on Bon and sophomore defensive end Jordan Johnson of Carrollton Creekview. Both said they had no strikes. Orsini pointed out, however, that not every player's release was due to an accumulation of strikes. "That's one form of conduct," Orsini said. "There are other conduct cases or behavior that is against the athletic department policy." Orsini said the "effort-and-attitude standards" are communicated daily. Actually measuring it -- unlike a 1-2-3 count for strikes -- is a judgment call.

Dallas Morning News

SMU Football, Brian Bahr/Getty Images SMU Football, Brian Bahr/Getty Images

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Comment #1 has been removed
February 14, 2009  04:55 PM ET
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Since SMU was hit with the death penalty they've taken great steps to run a clean program and implement changes designed to put football back into perspective - things like moving the games out of a big stadiums and back on-campus. SMU may not be big-time college football anymore but you have to admire them for attempting to set higher standards.

 
February 15, 2009  12:50 PM ET
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Its been 20 years since the death penalty was issued. Can their program be re-evaluated by NCAA officials and could they decide to lift the death penalty pending a strict probation for the next 10 years? I would just like to see their program become competitive again. Everything they do should be done with full knowledge of the NCAA, but I still would like to see them given a second chance.

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