Ernest T. Jones, an assistant football coach at the University of Connecticut has resigned for undisclosed reasons.
"Ernest has resigned his position effective immediately here at the university after deep introspection and reflection," UConn coach Bob Diaco said. "And it is entirely family and personally related," the Courant reports.
Jones, who was hired as a running backs coach and director of player engagement, came under fire in January for invoking Christianity in a huddle. A story in the Courant quoted Jones as saying, "we're going to make sure [players] understand that Jesus Christ should be in the center of our huddle, that that's something that is important."
Reciprocating to the comments, Susan Herbst, the university president, said that the school does not support any particular faith and students from all religious backgrounds are welcome in the campus.
Diaco said that Jones' resignation was not related to the Christian comments and called the timing of the resignation as "coincidental." He said that the Huskies need to find a running backs coach before spring practice next month.
"He took a week and deeply reflected with his family to make a decision for him and his family to resign his position here and focus on private family matters and pursue other opportunities that facilitate and suit his family," Diaco said.
Commenting on the whole Jesus huddle statement, UConn women's coach Geno Auriemma said that praying before every game is part of the religious curriculum of a Christian school.
"But all of those people who had a heart attack over what was said by our [assistant football coach] should go to whatever church they belong to and ask for forgiveness," Auriemma said.
