Report: SMU hires Jones

According to the Honolulu Advertiser, two of Jones' assistants at Hawaii confirmed that the coach called them from Dallas to inform them of his decision.

Jones is fresh off a 12-1 campaign at the helm of Hawaii, the lone blemish a 41-10 loss to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, the school's first-ever berth in the Bowl Championship Series.

The veteran mentor, who turns 55 next month, went 76-41 with the Warriors, including 4-2 in bowl games, and his teams finished first in the WAC twice and second two other times.

Jones has also spent time in the NFL as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons and interim coach of the San Diego Chargers.

The Mustangs suffered through a 1-11 season in 2007, leading to the firing of coach Phil Bennett.

Bennett was the fourth coach to lead SMU since it came off the so-called NCAA death penalty in 1989.