LA MARQUE — After one year on the job, Chris Jones has resigned as La Marque's athletic director and head football coach on Friday.

Jones, who was hired on March 8 as the replacement for former La Marque AD Bryan Erwin, said a desire to move closer to his wife's family in West Texas was the reason for his sudden departure.

"Sometimes you have to put your money where your mouth is when you say family is more important than your job," Jones explained. "This may not be the best move for my career, but I thought it was best for my family that I resign and we move on."

Jones had applied for the Andrews athletic director opening last month and was a finalist for the position. But the West Texas Class 3A school picked Jeff Cordell as its next head coach.

Despite not getting the Andrews position, Jones said the desire to move to West Texas was still there for his family. He leaves La Marque without having another coaching position lined up.

"The most difficult thing is saying goodbye to the kids," Jones said. "I want them to understand that me leaving has nothing to do with them. You just reach the point in your life, when if you say family is more important, you have to take a step forward and prove it."

Jones said he recently spoke to LMISD Superintendent Ecomet Burley and told him that he was thinking of resigning. Burley and Jones explored some different options to keep him at La Marque, Jones said, but in the end, he decided to move on.

"On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the district, we wish Coach Jones and his family well in their future endeavors," Burley said in a statement released by LMISD.

Jones arrived to La Marque with a lot of fanfare involving his spread offense and playoff success at Refugio where he complied a 34-14 record and won three district titles. But the results were mixed this season.

The Cougars averaged 23.9 points a game this season, as opposed to 32.8 in 2006. They also finished in a second-place in District 23-4A after winning back-to-back district titles and lost in the second round of the Class 4A, Division II playoffs. It was the first time in six years and the second time in 16 years the Coogs failed to reach the regional finals.

Jones admits the team didn't go as far in the postseason as he had hoped. But he was still pleased with the performance his team had throughout the season.

"The first year at a school can be tough because of the transition between players and coaches," Jones said. "But I was proud of our effort and our record. We fell short in a few games, but that's the way the ball bounces.

"We all wish for a state title every year, but that just didn't happen for us this year. That wasn't because of effort, though."

Jones said he doesn't regret taking the La Marque job and insisted it was a great experience for his career. But in the end, he said had to do what would make his family happy.

"Resigning now gives La Marque ISD the opportunity to do what they need to do," Jones said. "I'll be around to help with workouts and things until they bring in a new hire, because I don't want to shortchange the kids."

LMISD announced it would begin the application process for a replacement immediately, according to a press release. They had yet to post the opening on their website by late Friday afternoon.