Quotes about JJ

Upset with how JJ's contract negotiations were handled, Jacob Patek said:
"From what I read in the newspaper, coach's agent tried to contact (Frazier), called him, he wouldn't return calls. That's pretty much what led up to it, just a lack of communication. Not getting in touch with one another. It's disappointing that someone's not doing their job." (HA)

Hoping that things work out for JJ and UH, Patek said:
"I just hope everything works out for him and for UH." (HA)

About how more than just HF are responsible for JJ leaving, Hawthorne said:
"I don't know much about the process of them trying to retain coach Jones and we can all look at Herman, but it's actually people higher than Herman that have been involved with this decision as well." (HA)

About how he supports JJ, Hawthorne said:
"I know he made his decision for a good reason so I'll support him." (HA)

Feeling bad for the next year's seniors after they lost their coach, Michael Lafaele said:
"I feel sorry for the seniors next year. I just hope they stay strong." (HA)

About how JJ went straight back to his office from the airport, Dennis McKnight said:
"I think it's hard for him right now to face anybody. He doesn't want to break down." (KITV)

KITV Note: "UH assistant football coaches had expected to meet with Jones on Wednesday morning at the athletics offices, but one of the apparent problems was the media camped out waiting to talk to him. However, assistant coach Rich Miano said Jones' decision to not meet with the athletics staff on Wednesday had more to do more with emotions and not the camped out cameras."

About how it will be hard to say goodbye to his assistants, Rich Miano said:
"He just doesn't want to have to deal with having to say goodbye to everybody. He's an emotional guy. This is a very tough decision for sure since he's been back in the islands. Many people have tried to persuade him to stay here." (KITV)

KITV Note: "Miano, who has decided to stay in Hawaii despite an offer to follow Jones to SMU, said he thinks Jones will schedule a news conference to say goodbye to the fans and his players. When that will be and when Jones leaves the islands is still not known."

Happy about their coaching search, SMU AD Steve Orsini said:
"The time line [of the search] was dictated by the quality of the candidate we were after. Our goal was to aim high. June Jones excels in building football programs. We did it right." (Fort Worth Star-Telegraph)

About how Texas has a lot of high schools running offenses like his, JJ said:
"Coming to the state of Texas excited me because of what we do. To be perfectly honest, the opportunity here surpasses everything." (FWST)

FWST: "Jones could turn SMU into Conference USA's version of Texas Tech. The Lone Star state is becoming the cradle of quarterbacks. To paraphrase the title of the current movie: There Will Be Passers."

About UH's facilities, Leigh Steinberg said:
"What he did at Hawaii, he did with smoke and mirrors. Facilities were the main issue. SMU has everything he didn't have there." (FWST)

About how he wasn't sure if JJ would be convinced to go back to UH, Orsini said:
"It's like a courtship; I don't like to make a proposal unless I know the answer. I thought I knew the answer but I wasn't sure." (FWST)

On the day JJ's hiring was announced, SMU President Gerald Turner said that Orsini was worried about what JJ would decide:
"He was nervous last night." (FWST)

FWST Note: "Because of the time differences, Jones went to bed at 2 a.m. without making a decision. When he awoke Monday morning, he knocked on Steinberg's door."

About what JJ told him that morning, Steinberg said:
"He told me, 'I'm at peace with coming to SMU.' " (FWST)