UConn assistant football coach Ernest Jones, who joined new head coach Bob Diaco's coaching staff last month, resigned on Monday.

UConn officials said it would not explain why Jones left, calling it a personnel matter. His resignation is effective immediately.

Jones, who was hired as a running backs coach and director of player engagement, was immediately embroiled in a controversy when told The Hartford Courant in a story published last month that he and others were going to make sure UConn's players understand that "Jesus Christ should be in the center of our huddle."

Days later, UConn president Susan Herbst said in a statement that all students must feel welcome and employees at the public school cannot appear to endorse any particular religion.

Jones was a former assistant at Notre Dame with Diaco, who was hired to replace Paul Pasqualoni. Pasqualoni was fired last September after the Huskies lost their first four games.

- Staff and Wire Reports