It appears one of the most talented but unheralded running backs in the country has made his way out of his head coach’s doghouse.
In February of this year, UTEP’s Aaron Jones was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. In early March, head coach Sean Kugler said in a statement that "[w]e are waiting for the process to fully develop and once I have all the facts, I will evaluate the situation.”
Wednesday, Jones entered into a pretrial diversion program that will see the charge dismissed if he meets certain conditions. That same day, Kugler released a statement saying that, essentially, Jones had been punished enough.
“Aaron’s situation was handled internally as is the case with every player,” the coach said. “He has been punished harshly and I consider this matter to be put behind him, he will not be suspended further.”
Jones, who went to high school in El Paso, led the Miners in rushing in 2014 (1,321 yards) and 2013 (811). He sustained a season-ending ankle injury two games into the 2015 season; at the time of the injury, his 209 yards rushing were far and away the Miners’ leading rusher (Autrey Golsen, 19 yards at the time). Despite missing the last 10 games of the season, he finished third on the team in rushing behind Jeremiah Laufasa‘s 381 yards and LaQuintus Dowell‘s 276.
Even as he’s missed a total of 14 games because of injury, including four games at the end of his true freshman season in 2013, Jones is currently eighth on the school’s all-time rushing list.
Earlier today, Jones was named to the Doak Walker Award watch list.