Ottawa’s Earle Morris has stepped down as coach of Jennifer Jones’ Winnipeg rink.

Morris took on the role last summer for the 2010-11 season with the understanding that the position would be examined and a decision made on a three-year commitment leading up to the 2014 Olympic trials.

“Coaching a team with Olympic aspirations is a time-consuming commitment that requires significant dedication that I was unsure that I could promise,” said Morris. “That is not the frame of mind in which to enter a three-year agreement.”

Longtime Jones coach Janet Arnott, whose departure from that role a year ago paved the way for Morris, is returning to her former duties.