Quotes from the local papers

About how JJ's decision was never based on his salary offer from UH, Leigh Steinberg said:
"It's never been about (money). It was about commitment. It wasn't until (McClain's list yesterday that) I saw anything in writing about the (UH) facilities." (HA)

About how SMU never imposed a deadline, Steinberg said:
"They've never pressured...there's got to be closure for both schools, as a practical matter." (HA)

About how JJ was undecided as of last night, Steinberg said:
"It's in his court. He has not made a decision yet." (HA)

About all of the calls and e-mails JJ got from Hawaii asking him to stay, Steinberg said:
"I don't think there's any question that June came here meaning to make the change. But, obviously, his heart has been in Hawai'i. These calls and interactions he's had (Saturday) in person and (yesterday) on the phone and by e-mail are making it difficult. June has been deluged with calls from the Islands exhorting him to stay. I received a call from Gov. Lingle, and she asked if there's anything she could do. I've been getting a series of e-mails and text messages. Every time I look down, there's another e-mail or text message, talking about how much he means to the school, the youth, the Islands. He and I both believe in community." (HA)

JJ's agent Leigh Steinberg did not know what would happen with JJ, but:
"my personal take is to advise him to do what will make him happy." (HSB)

About the turmoil JJ went through yesterday, 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 JJ's salary isn't the issue, the facilities and other infrastructure questions are, Steinberg said:
"We're less concerned with June's salary than we are about having a viable support system for the players and coaches to have a better chance at continued success. We received a letter with a general statement that addresses that, with examples of what would be done." (HSB)

HSB Note: "The latest salary offer from UH yesterday was $1.5 million, nearly twice Jones' current annual pay. Steinberg said the examples included improvements to the football offices and practice field. Lingle spoke with Steinberg for 15 minutes yesterday, and she also left a message on Jones' cell phone last week offering her support. If this were a football game, Hawaii seemed hopelessly behind SMU at the start of the day. But government and UH officials talked to Steinberg while Jones went through his interview process. Negotiations became a collaborative effort on UH's end, with UH President David McClain participating."

About how JJ was "still deciding" between SMU and UH, Steinberg said:
"My own take on this is that I urged June to go to Hawaii from San Diego (in 1999, when Jones left the NFL to take the UH job). I'm not about maximizing compensation; I'm about making (Jones) happy." (HSB)

About how SMU did a great job recruiting JJ yesterday, Steinberg said:
"It was a very positive day at SMU." (HA)

"It was a very positive, upbeat day." (HA)

HA Note: "Jones and Steinberg met with SMU president R. Gerald Turner. They had lunch at the home of Gerald J. Ford, a billionaire who donated $20 million for the campus stadium named after him. Ford is a member of the SMU board of trustees. They also had a meeting with the search committee, during which Jones was offered a five-year deal valued at between $1.85 million and $2 million annually. Later, Jones and Steinberg had dinner with several SMU alumni, including Dan Hunt, owner of the Kansas City Chiefs."

Wanting JJ to stay at UH, UH-Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw said:
"We all want Coach Jones to remain at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. So President McClain, Herman Frazier and I have been in continued discussions with Coach Jones and his agent to provide the best incentives for him to remain here, including both financial and nonfinancial matters." (HSB)

Not able to imagine UH football without JJ, Solomon Elimimian said:
"I think Coach Jones identifies a lot with the Hawai'i culture. He's been here nine years. Everybody loves him. You can't mention UH football without Coach Jones." (HA)

Supporting JJ no matter what his decision is, Karl Noa said:
"I would support his decision and I think that's how most of us feel. He has to do what's best for him. He has done so much for the program and although it would be sad if he leaves, we understand that there's a business side to it." (HSB)

About JJ's decision to stay or go to SMU, Hawthorne said:
"People out here really love him. And I know he loves this place, too. There's no doubt about this ... though he has to think about his family, too. I want him to stay. ... I think that Hawaii and June Jones really goes well together." (HSB)

About how the underclassmen would be disappointed if JJ left, Amani Purcell said:
"There are kids here he recruited and want to play for him." (HSB)

About how the players agree with JJ's demands for change in the UH Athletic Department, especially its facilities, and understand his frustration, Hawthorne said:
"There's definitely room for improvement. I believe no matter who comes in here, they're going to see a need to improve the facilities. It just needs to be upgraded, that's the bottom line. It may take time, and I think that may be one of the issues that may be hurting him." (HSB)

About how UH fans everywhere are concerned about losing JJ, Na Koa President Kent Untermann said:
"They're asking what can they do. Can they send money? Can they send an e-mail?" (HA)

About how JJ lifted UH's football program, Na Koa VP Ben Yee said:
"It's a complete turnaround." (HSB)

About JJ, UH fan Layton Pang said:
"I don't blame June Jones for leaving. It's poor planning on UH's part. The UH administration should have done something last season, instead of waiting until now." (HA)

About JJ, UH fan Zach Mendosa said:
"He did a lot of good things for the school. The school isn't supporting him." (HA)

After arriving at 4am for the 11am autograph signing, UH fan Lauren Akase said:
"I have to be here. This team made history. I don't feel bad that June Jones is leaving. I understand. If UH won't provide for him, then he has to do what he has to do." (HA)

About JJ possibly leaving UH, season ticket holder Ronald Kop said:
"I don't blame June Jones. He has a legitimate gripe against UH. They haven't supported him or the program." (HA)

About JJ possibly leaving UH, UH fan Richelle Kane said:
"If only UH would step up to the plate and offer Jones the money and facilities. He already has the support of the people. If he does leave, I want him to know that he has our warmest and biggest mahalo." (HA)

Unhappy with the UH Administration's handling of JJ, 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)

HSB Note: "Mike Kim, 49, of Punchbowl, who traveled with thousands of other Hawaii fans to New Orleans to watch the Sugar Bowl, said he believes the university administration made a mistake by waiting so long to make an offer as Jones' five-year contract ends."

Hoping something can be worked out with UH, UH fan Eric Yeaman said:
"I'm still hopeful that they can work something out. The school should step up to their commitment to the UH football team and the athletic department." (HSB)

About how UH has to make changes to stay at this level of play, UH fan Bill Kaneko said:
"If he leaves, the university will have problems other than finding another head coach. He took the team to another level this year. If UH wants to stay at this level, there has to be some changes. June Jones has made that loud and clear through his (possible) resignation." (HSB)

About the rally for JJ, Kelley Oshiro (an organizaer of the rally) said:
"People like June Jones do not come around every day. It may be too late for June Jones, but if he leaves, there still needs to be change." (HSB)

About JJ's decision, Adam Leonard said:
"My wish is for him to make the right decision for him and his family. He's a great coach, a wonderful coach to play for." (HA)

Adam said that he hoped that UH officials will:
"step up and deliver on all of the promises they made him when he first took the job." (HA)

HA Note: "Leonard noted that UH's facilities are inferior to those at other schools. The Warriors do not have an on-campus practice facility with artificial surface on days it rains. The infield at UH's Cooke Field has been condemned for nearly two years."

About how he'll take until the Jan. 15 deadline to decide if he'll go to the NFL or return to UH, Adam Leonard said:
"I'm just going to sit down with my parents and different people involved that can help with the decision." (HSB)

About how JJ's decision on UH or SMU will be a factor in his decision, Adam said:
"It'll weigh in a little bit not knowing if the coaching staff is still going to be together." (HSB)

About how JJ talked with the players about his job situation, Adam said:
"He spoke to some of the players and he told us his options and he would take four or five days to think about this decision in his life." (HSB)

About HF, Ferd wrote:
"UH pays Frazier $250,000 to run its program, where one of the central charges is to: "... negotiate the contracts of all coaches and other staff members who work within the department and submit them for approval."

Something that should have been done, at the latest, this past summer. It was hardly a secret when Jones headed into the fifth and final year of that contract six months ago. What was a surprise was that Frazier had let it even get that far ceding leverage. I mean, you knew you had a contract winding down and a season with a heavy upside. So, why wouldn't you press to lock up the coach at a price you might be able to afford before letting all the bargaining chips slip away? Why not secure him before suitors could begin circling?

Of course, that would be to assume you had bolted down your 2007 football schedule more than four months before it kicked off. That you had finished your basketball coaching search in a timely and efficient manner. Or, dealt with facilities issues that have been there since your arrival more than five years earlier.

Wasn't it Frazier who told us early on in his administration that he didn't want contracts running up against expiration dates and wanted them dealt with more than a year out because of the distractions they could become?

So, here the Warriors are coming off a 12-1 season with more to sell in recruiting than ever before and nobody knows who the head coach will be or how much of the coaching staff will be around. There is a parade planned and a night of championships on the drawing board for Stan Sheriff Center later this month and nobody knows if the man who would be grand marshall will have "UH" or "SMU" on his shirt.

Coaches on Jones' staff will tell you that SMU entreaties, initially lightly regarded, found a more receptive ear the longer that the contract issue dragged on and pleas for a pledge on facilities went unanswered.

When an assistant coach harangued Frazier at a Sugar Bowl practice over football improvements, the outpouring of frustrations shouldn't have been a surprise. Nor should have quarterback Colt Brennan's earlier protestations."