SMU fan Mark O’Shea petitioning for head coach job on Facebook

SMU football head coach June Jones resigned from his job abruptly two games into the 2014 season after a 43-6 loss to the University of North Texas.

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“It was a very difficult decision to make, as you can imagine,” Jones said in the statement, via FoxSports. “This job has a lot of demands, as you know, and along with that journey comes a price that is paid. I have some personal issues I have been dealing with and I need to take a step away so I can address them at this time.”

One SMU fan is taking things into his own hands and petitioning for the job via likes on Facebook.

“Who will help my post go viral so I can become the next Head Coach of SMU Football to bring them back to the glory days!? This is not a test, if I can get 100,000 likes I bet the SMU Athletic department would give me an interview!(resume upon request)” Mark O’Shea writes on Facebook.

FanSided reached out to O’Shea about his Facebook post and why he was trying to use a social media campaign to get the job.

“My goal is to bring awareness to SMU football that there are people out there, even if they are not an alumni or even an avid fan of SMU, but the general public of the sports world that SMU should be restored as a great football program,” O’Shea said. “The icing on the cake is to become the head coach.”

O’Shea isn’t shy of confidence either.

“I believe I could be the coach to restore this program,” O’Shea said. “Several coaches in the past have been there to coach a team, but I am willing to rebuild the program as a whole. I want to capture the hearts of everyone involved, from the Athletic Director and Boosters, down to the little kid that attends a SMU game and wants to grow up to be a Mustang and put belief back into their hearts that SMU is a power house and even if a death penalty has occurred, SMU can be resurrected and be placed back on top. I have the skill set and the knowledge to do so, all I need is the opportunity.”

SMU legend Eric Dickerson spoke out recently about the death penalty still hanging over the program decades later and that he is tired of it being used as a crutch. Like O’Shea, Dickerson wants the program to be restored to prominence.

O’Shea has connections to the SMU school going back to when he was a little kid.

“I remember in High school, my Father would drive my brother and I over to watch SMU football practice and we would stand outside of the fence and watch them grind,” O’Shea said. “My Father always told us if we wanted to play at the next level, then we would have to pay the price of hard work and sweat to get there. He was right.”

O’Shea’s brother Arthur did in fact grow up up to play at SMU for a single season during his freshman year. Mark O’Shea played along side his two brothers for a single season at Marine Military Academy before Mark and older brother Matthew transferred to local Dallas school Jesuit College Prep to finish out their careers.

Mark O’Shea went on to play college football at Iona College in New Rochelle, NY. After three seasons at Iona College, Mark pursued a chance to walk on at the University of Nebraska, playing along side his brother Matthew, who was recruited out of high school by the Cornhuskers. Mark O’Shea finished his football career with the Nebraska Cornhuskers, earning his letterman and “Black Shirt.”

This isn’t another case of a fan bidding for a job with his favorite team, he brings legitimate collegiate football experience to the table in his bid for the SMU coaching vacancy. He has also spent time since his playing days volunteering as a coach at youth and high school levels.

O’Shea broke down the key issues surrounding the SMU program as follows:

"The Program:SMU has put out several greats in the football world such as Doak Walker and Michael Carter. Josh Mcgown his currently playing in the NFL along with “Golden Locks” Beasley. From the greats to the current players SMU has always produced talent. The facilities at SMU are 2nd to none and the support of the program has always been great. From “Boulevarding” to Busters, who could ask for better support of a program!?The School:The phrase “I graduated from SMU.” will undoubtedly open doors and give you a leg up in the business world of Dallas. Even after football, these young men have many opportunities to succeed by having a degree from a great School. It is also icing on the cake to graduate from a top rated school!Location:Dallas, Texas is the heart of the United States. Being a diverse metroplex and most major companies calling it home for their Head Quarters what better place could you ask for? Recruiting should be at an all-time high for SMU, being situated in the most upscale area of Dallas you have to culture, the food, the entertainment, and not to mention the eye candy."

While he might not get the head coaching job with SMU, a job Houston Nutt has expressed an interest in, there is no doubt O’Shea should be considered for a coaching job with the school to some degree. Aside from his college playing experience, O’Shea knows the local area better than most.

To support O’Shea you can check out his Facebook post and give him a like.