JJ takes the SMU job

About how it was difficult to choose to leave UH, JJ said:
"I'm very attached to the people of Hawaii, and I get attached to my players. Right up until last night when I went to bed, said my prayers. ... it was a very, very difficult decision. The opportunity here surpasses everything. There's a time to move on." (DMN)

About the boosters who pledged $10 mil for a new coach, SMU AD Steve Orsini said:
"You guys ponied up. You allowed us to compete at a Top 25 [level]." (DMN)

DMN Note: "Orsini, in his second year at SMU, said he brought former SMU greats Craig James and Eric Dickerson into the search process. It was just a couple of years ago when they publicly voiced their concerns about the state of the athletic program. Jones said he and Dickerson are close friends. Booster Gerald Ford, the namesake of SMU's stadium, said the school has long set its sights on Jones but was held up because Hawaii's season didn't end until last week. SMU's search for a coach was by far the longest nationally this season."

About how they wanted to get JJ, Gerald Ford said:
"We knew at the end of the day, we were going to get the right guy." (DMN)

About choosing the SMU job, JJ said:
"I think SMU is ready to go. That intrigues me and excites me at the same time. The atmosphere I felt. ... everyone is pulling together and trusting Steve Orsini, and that's what you've got to do." (DMN)

About how there is no comparison between the facilities at UH and SMU, JJ said:
"You're talking about the NFL and the Pop Warner team, that's how different it is." (DMN)

DMN Note: "But facilities don't fix everything. SMU is the only C-USA program that hasn't been to a bowl since 2002."

About how the situation at SMU now is better than has it was at UH, Jeff Reinbold said:
"How bad it is right now at SMU, it can't be as bad as it was here." (DMN)

About their offense, JJ said:
"What we do offensively, once everybody believes, then you can create and have a lot of fun." (DMN)

DMN Note: "Reinebold said Jones and his staff utilize a "players-first" approach. And Jones' potent run-and-shoot offense is a favorite of offensive players – and can help turn a program quickly."

Looking forward to the challenge of coaching SMU, JJ said:
"I do things a little differently. I'm a little different than your normal Texas coach, but I get it done, and we win. I'm really looking forward to the challenge." (DMN)

About the challenge of taking over the 1-11 SMU team, JJ said:
"Where you are now excites me because the only way is up, and I am good at going up." (ESPN)

"The fact that you're where you are right now excites me. The only way to go is up. I enjoy going up." (DMN)

About the last-minute effort Hawaii made to try to keep JJ, Steinberg said:
"In 30 years representing athletes, I've never seen the emotional reaction from a state like Hawaii. There was a flood of e-mails and calls exhorting him to stay." (ESPN)

ESPN Note: "Steinberg said the coach accepted a five-year deal worth about $2 million per year. He said Hawaii offered about $1.6 million per year. On Sunday, a source told ESPN's Joe Schad that the deal at SMU is expected to be booster-funded. SMU athletic director Steve Orsini reportedly has sold as many as 20 boosters on the concept of donating as much as $100,000 per year for five years. His contract puts him on the same pay scale as new Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman ($1.8 million). Baylor, a private school like SMU, recently signed Art Briles to a deal that could pay him $1.8 million a year with all incentives included."

About the facilities at SMU, which include a new brick-faced stadium and a mdern training center, JJ said:
"There's absolutely no comparison, the office that I sat in was the same office that Dick Tomey sat in in 1986. The carpet was the same ... You're talking about the NFL and a Pop Warner team." (ESPN)

ESPN Note: "Jones said he has commitments from some of his Hawaii assistants to follow him but wouldn't name them for three or four days. A handful of SMU players met Jones after Monday's press conference. The coach said he had watched tape of some SMU games and the Mustangs were "close to turning the corner." But he declined to predict how many games they'll win next season."

About how JJ wasn't going to get the right support at UH no matter how much he won, Colt said:
"No matter what he ever did or no matter how much he won he wasn't going to have the right money or facilities. I'm sad to see him go but after just having experienced the Sugar Bowl I understand how this is a business." (ESPN)

Worried for UH, Colt said:
"My concern is Hawaii. I hope it doesn't hurt our program and I don't think it has to. I would personally like to see Hawaii hire Norm Chow. I think he would be a great fit for Hawaii just like coach Jones was." (ESPN)

ESPN Note: "Jones said, however, that recruiting for SMU will be easier than at Hawaii, where distance made mainland parents reluctant to send their kids. He added that many Texas high schools now run spread offenses featuring the passing game, just like his run-and-shoot."

About how Texas players will want to play in his offense, JJ said:
"It'll be fun to watch, and we'll attract the players to come play in our offense. I know there are a lot of players within 30 miles of this campus." (ESPN)

Happy with how they did their coaching search, SMU AD Orsini said:
"We took our time. We did it right. We have to fill up Ford Stadium." (ESPN)

ESPN Note: "SMU got permission to speak with Jones last month. Jones said he watched as many coaching jobs came open and were filled, but the only schools that intrigued him were SMU and Duke."

About going to SMU, JJ said:
"Hawaii will always be my home. The opportunity here surpasses everything ... I just really believe this is the time for me to move on." (ESPN)

“Well it was a hard, hard decision. It was very emotional for me, but it’s a very good opportunity and I have to do what’s right for my family.” (HSB)

“It’s too good an opportunity for me and my family to turn down. It’s hard, but I know it’s the right thing for me to do.” (HSB)

About how the last-minute pleas from Hawaii make JJ's decision harder, Steinberg said:
“Frankly, I think that (Jones’) lean and intention was to go ahead and take the new post. I think it was headed in that direction. I think all of the communications (from Hawaii) in the last couple of days has made an impact and caused pause.” (HSB)

About how the facility improvements have to happen for UH's new coach, JJ said:
“I knew everyone in the position to do so would try to make these things happen. But they still have to happen for the next coach. I think everyone is at a focal point of what is needed.” (HSB)

HSB Note: "Jones said he was “blown away” by SMU when he interviewed with athletic department and school officials and viewed the facilities. They include Gerald J. Ford Stadium, a 30,000-seat on-campus arena where the Warriors played in 2001."

About how he tried to get a stadium like SMU's built at UH, JJ said:
“When I got back to Hawaii I talked to (then Mayor) Jeremy Harris about trying to build that stadium here." (HSB)

HSB Note: "The latest salary offer from UH yesterday was $1.5 million, nearly twice Jones’ current annual pay. Steinberg said Hawaii’s final proposal included improvements to the football offices and the practice field."

About how he plans to retire in Hawaii, JJ said:
“Most definitely. Hawaii will always be my home. My heart is still torn about it, torn in half. I broke down so many times the last three days.” (HSB)

About JJ deciding to take the SMU job, Leigh Steinberg said:
"When he woke up this morning, he was at peace and felt great about the decision to come to SMU." (DMN)

DMN Note: "June Jones led Hawaii to 12 victories and a BCS bowl berth this season. Steinberg said Jones was on the phone back to the islands late into the night. But Jones was impressed with SMU's on-campus facilities, his meeting with SMU president R. Gerald Turner, the support of boosters "and the singular vision and commitment from the top to the bottom," Steinberg said."

About the tug of war between UH and SMU, Steinberg realized late Sunday that:
"someone was going to be horrendously disappointed." (DMN)

About JJ leaving UH in good shape, Steinberg said:
"In 33 years of working in this field, I've never seen anything like that torrent of emotion. At the end of the day, he’s left the program in tremendous shape and left a legacy that can be passed on." (DMN)

Asked last week if he would try for the head coaching job at UH if JJ left, Cal Lee said he:
“wasn’t sure.” (HSB)

About how he's going to try for the head coaching job at UH, Jeff Reinbold said:
“I plan to pursue it." (HSB)

About JJ leaving, Na Koa VP Ben Yee referred to HF when he said:
“I was so damn sure things would turn around and June would not leave. There are two fools in this. One, we lost a coach. Second, the reason for losing the coach means we need to lose someone else." (HSB)

About the delay in making JJ an offer, UH fan Mike Kim said:
“It’s the worst thing that could happen to UH. He built it up so big — we’re at the peak of our program — and to let it fall is an absolute travesty.” (HSB)

About how they need to keep the momentum from JJ going at UH, UH fan Kelly Oshiro said:
“We need to continue to ride whatever momentum is left to create change. It’s too little too late for coach Jones. But we have to continue to believe our athletic program can move forward. It should have never come to this." (HSB)

About JJ leaving, Gov. Linda Lingle said:
"I wish June Jones and his family well as Coach takes on a new opportunity in his career. I want to thank him for everything he has done for the University of Hawai'i Warriors Football program, and for the pride and national recognition he has brought to the University and our entire state.

In his nine years as head coach, June Jones did more than turn the UH Warriors Football program around. He instilled a strong work ethic among his student-athletes that emphasized teamwork, perseverance and always believing in oneself. In the process he captured the hearts of the people of our state and reminded everyone that with focused, dedicated pursuit of a dream, goals can be realized.

I am confident that the spirit and unity the Warriors and all the people of Hawai'i gained as a result of Coach Jones' accomplishments will continue as the University of Hawai'i moves into a new chapter in its athletic history." (HA)

About JJ leaving, UH-Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw said:
"All of us definitely wanted Coach June Jones to continue at UH Manoa. He has accomplished so very much here in Hawaii, and his 9-year UH coaching record shows that he is truly a transformational leader.

During negotiations with Coach Jones and his agent, the University was able to offer a financially competitive package. In addition, UH gave assurances that non-financial matters of concern would be promptly addressed. In the end, however, Coach Jones informed us that his decision to accept the SMU position was based on his desire to undertake a new challenge and a new beginning at this point in his life.

So, even though this was not the outcome any of us wanted, we do wish him well in gratitude for all he has contributed to our lives here in Hawaii and beyond — mahalo nui loa to Coach Jones for nine years of dedication as a coach and as a former UH player and student. It is now our responsibility to build on Coach Jones' success that we all have enjoyed on this great ride, particularly this year.

A search for a new head football coach will begin immediately." (HA)

About JJ leaving, UH President David McClain said:
"Like all of Hawaii, I'm greatly disappointed that Coach Jones has decided to take this new opportunity at SMU. June has done so much for our university and our community, and we wish him every success.

We gave it our best shot, and it has been very much a team effort. I want to thank in particular, the fans for their outpouring of love and affection for the Coach. I can tell you, he was greatly moved.

I'm most grateful to Governor Lingle for her involvement at a critical point, and to Chancellor Hinshaw for her leadership in these negotiations. I'm grateful to those football supporters and those legislators, particularly Representative Takai, who declared their support for a major initiative to upgrade UH Manoa's athletic facilities. We'll need that support as we recruit a new coach. I'm pleased to announce that some donors have already been contacting me to see how they can help.

My thanks also, of course, to the players who produced such a remarkable season, a wonderful exclamation point to our centennial year. We look forward to supporting them during this time of transition, and to building on their success.

Finally, I also want to apologize to our fans and all of Hawaii for matters getting to this stage in the first place. Exceptional performance deserves exceptional recognition, and your University was slow to step up.

That won't happen again. My focus as your president is to keep the drama on the athletic field and in the stadium, where it belongs, and not at the ticket window, or in contract negotiations." (HA)

About how his aorta was torn in his horrible car accident, JJ said:
"It was divine intervention. I had a torn aorta, three-quarters of the way, that they didn't find for four hours. Death is 100 percent if you don't find it in 15 minutes. There's absolutely no explanation why I'm alive." (DMN)

DMN Note: "A year after the accident, Jones hosted an emotional party for everybody who aided his survival, from the medical staff to the EMTs. Jones learned the details of exactly how close he came to dying."

About how he found out a year after his accident how close he came to dying, JJ said:
"I found out a whole lot I didn't know." (DMN)

About how the accident affected JJ, Mouse Davis said:
"No doubt it was a severe butt-kicking for him." (DMN)

About the offense he pioneered, Mouse said:
"When we first started, it was heresy to have four wideouts and one guy lined up in the backfield." (DMN)

About JJ's unequalled expertise with the run-and-shoot, Dick Tomey said:
"His knowledge about the system is second to none because he's run it for so long." (DMN)

DMN Note: "Jones took to the offense immediately, first as a quarterback and then as a coach. The journey took Jones from the USFL's Houston Gamblers to Canada and then to the Houston Oilers and Detroit Lions. He used it in the NFL, despite skepticism and even ridicule. In 1995, with Atlanta, he had three 1,000-yard receivers, a 1,000-yard rusher and made the playoffs. Jones utilized the offense to rebuild Hawaii, melding Davis' theories along with bits of Bill Walsh and Ted Marchibroda."

About how the NFL is using many of the concepts of the run-and-shoot now, JJ said:
"I took great satisfaction watching the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots win a Super Bowl and be undefeated, basically using four or five wideouts ... and doing what we were scapegoated for 30 years ago." (DMN)

Praising SMU's choice of coach, Mouse said:
"I really think SMU has made the right choice. He's done a great job where he's been. He not only deals with players and coaches well but all the people around the program." (DMN)

DMN Note: "Tomey noted that Hawaii's defense, which ranked a respectable 34th nationally, played almost as big a role as the offense that averaged a nation-leading 43.4 points a game."

About the job the UH coaches did this season, Dick Tomey said:
"What they did that was so compelling, winning so many close games, coming from behind on the road. It takes a lot of belief – believing in themselves, the system and the coaches." (DMN)