Quotes from the Sunday papers

Former UH AD Hugh Yoshida said that losing JJ would put:
"the athletic department behind the eight-ball." (HA)

"It would be very disappointing. It is a big blow to the program at a point where it was getting to the cutting edge." (HA)

HA Note: "Football is the financial engine for the 19-sport athletic program, bringing in more than a quarter of the revenue that it takes to run the $23-million athletic program."

About how JJ's loss would be a big problem for UH Athletics, Jim Donovan (former associate AD, former UH football player, current executive director of the Hawaii Bowl) said:
"Certainly it leaves a huge hole for the program." (HA)

"I'm saddened that if the reports are correct ... myself and so many other people have helped the program, inside and outside. I'm thankful for what he has done the last nine years. Anybody would be sad he would be leaving." (HA)

About how he's discussed the situation with ESPN (who owns the Hawaii Bowl), Jim Donovan said:
"I just want what's best for June and his family. I believe everything works out best in the long run. If this is what's best for him, I support him because of how much he has done for the school and state. If you look at the passion he's put into the program and how much he's turned the program, around, it's nothing short of phenomenal." (HA)

Prominent booster Walter Dods said announcement of Jones' departure
"is heart-breaking to me. He (Jones) is a very special guy and he's done a lot for Hawai'i. You can't really measure how much he's done for the university, the football team and the state." (HA)

About the impact of JJ's loss, Rep. Takai said:
"I think (a loss of Jones) means a step back, not only for the athletic program, but the entire state." (HA)

About how HF said in May that they were working on drafts of a contract extension for JJ, Takai said:
"I think the fact that Herman Frazier didn't act on the commitment he made to the legislature in May and not jump on the opportunity to negotiate an extension on the contract has paid dearly not only for the program, but the entire state." (HA)

About how others are accountable also, Takai said:
"Frazier, Chancellor (Virginia) Hinshaw, the Board of Regents, (UH) President (David) McClain, and some extent the governor. All of those people had from May to take this situation and to make certain decisions. The chain of command is such where if the lower command falters, the next person needs to take the lead. It goes all the way to (the) governor. I hold her ultimately accountable." (HA)

"Hawai'i just celebrated a few days ago, the biggest sports success it has ever had. How can you fumble that?" (HA)

About UH losing JJ, Nevada coach Chris Ault said:
"I'm sorry to hear he's (apparently) leaving. He's been a lot of fun to compete against." (HA)

Upset that UH didn't give JJ an offer until Thursday, Mayor Mufi Hannemann said:
"I'm extremely disappointed. I think the state and the university is just too little, too late. They stepped up too little, too late." (HA)

"This is going to hurt the state and university beyond the football field when the story behind the story comes to light." (HA)

HA Note: "Hannemann even added he wished the university was a City & County institution, not a state one, so he could act upon the situation."

About JJ's criticism of UH's facilities, Dave Shoji said:
"Well, I think if you compare what we have for football with other programs, he's absolutely right on. When I go to college campuses, I notice facilities. I know what our football team has and what others have ... I know that's one thing that's frustrated June." (HA)

Shoji said that he couldn't:
"think of one football program where our facilities are better. What program are we better than as far as facilities? I've never seen a program where our facilities are better." (HA)

UH Men's volleyball coach Dave Wilton was also upset about the news about JJ:
"I genuinely like June Jones. I think he's a genuine guy and he cares about other people. I'm just really sad right now." (HA)

HA Note: "Although Jones has sent out "resignation notes" to several friends and prominent boosters, apparently a mechanism to his being able to accept an SMU offer, agent Leigh Steinberg said the "situation is fluid." Asked if the door is still open to UH, Steinberg said, "Yes." It is a golden negotiating ploy to be sure. The kind of leverage the agent who inspired the film "Jerry Maguire" makes a handsome living providing. The kind of a bind UH stumbled right into like a rube in the big city."

One UH assistant coach said:
"I don't know what would stop him (from taking the SMU job) at this point." (HA)

Ferd concluded his HA article with: "The three biggest UH recruiting weekends will soon be at hand and some of the hopes for the 2008 season — if not beyond — hang in the balance. If UH loses Jones, it also loses perhaps half the coaching staff and some recruits. And that season opener at Florida is but seven months away. It's time for somebody at the top at UH to step up and deliver a game winner. The question is: Can they?"

Asked about a possible opening at UH, Norm Chow said:
"I've not given it one thought. I'm focused on our game with San Diego." (HA)

If JJ leaves, Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo suggested the Warriors:
"should look within their program for a successor. They've got a number of qualified guys on their staff, coaches that were there to help June build the foundation." (HA)

"you need somebody who knows what Hawai'i is about, what the Aloha spirit is about." (HA)

HA Note: "Staff members said Cal Lee, Rich Miano, Dennis McKnight and Jeff Reinebold of the current staff would be the most likely candidates. Ron Lee and George Lumpkin are also likely to stay, staffers said."

HA Note: "Defensive coordinator Greg McMackin, quarterbacks' coach Dan Morrison and running backs coach Wes Suan are among the most likely to follow Jones. Staff members have said as many as six assistants could join Jones, if he follows through on plans to go to SMU."


HA Note: "The most successful chapter in University of Hawai'i football history came to an apparent end yesterday when June Jones resigned after nine seasons as the Warriors' head coach, according to close friend Al Souza. The move allows Jones to formally entertain an offer from Southern Methodist University, which is seeking a new head coach. Agent Leigh Steinberg said Jones is scheduled to meet with SMU officials today on the private school's Dallas campus. SMU has raised $10 million to give the next head coach during the life of a five-year contract."

About how JJ received a ton of calls and e-mails trying to get him to stay, Leigh Steinberg said:
"It was heart-wrenching." (HA)

HA Note: "Steinberg said Jones was moved by the outpouring, acknowledging there is a slight chance he will reconsider. In an e-mail distributed to select friends yesterday, Jones included a copy of the letter of resignation he sent to athletic director Herman Frazier. Souza said Jones broke down in tears as he mulled his decision Friday night."

About how JJ doesn't want to leave UH, Souza said:
"He doesn't want to leave." (HA)

"This breaks his heart." (HA)

HA Note: "But Souza said each item on a long list of Jones' requests for his staff and program was rejected by athletic department officials through the years. Copies of those requests were attached to the resignation letter. It was the perceived lack of commitment, Souza said, that led to Jones' emotional decision to leave a program he resuscitated in 1999 and brought to national prominence, culminating with a 12-0 regular season in 2007 and an appearance in last Tuesday's Sugar Bowl."

About how he has not heard from JJ about his decision, HF said:
"I told him to call me before he made a final decision." (HA)

HA Note: 'But Souza said Jones has indeed resigned."

Asked if JJ resigned, Steinberg said:
"I won't acknowledge what he's done or not done." (HA)

HA Note: "Last summer, Jones told UH officials that he would not negotiate a contract extension between the start and end of the recently completed season. Frazier said the Board of Regents did not approve a measure to increase the ceiling for the head coach's salary until last July, not leaving him enough time to assemble an offer by Jones' deadline. Frazier confirmed he did not have contract talks with Steinberg during the 2007 regular season. In an e-mail to Frazier on Christmas Eve, Jones requested permission for Steinberg to listen to offers from other suitors. Frazier gave his blessing. In an e-mail to Frazier on Dec. 26, Steinberg wrote that he was contacted by a school with a "time-sensitive situation." That school, it turned out, was SMU. On Thursday, SMU asked Frazier for permission to interview Jones. Frazier gave his approval. That night, Frazier, UH president David McClain and Manoa chancellor Virginia Hinshaw offered Jones a contract of about $1.1 million a year. The next day, the UH trio told Jones they would make a second offer, even before hearing a response to the first proposal. That second offer, according to Jones' friends, was close to $1.7 million annually. But the second offer did not include any provisions promising improvement to facilities or added resources for the football program."

About how JJ wasn't worried about his salary, he wanted the facilities to be taken care of, Steinberg said:
"The issue of June's compensation has never been June's concern. June's focus has been the facilities, and the ability to take the program to the next level. And I'll leave it at that." (HA)

HA Note: "Steinberg said SMU officials have "outlined parameters" of a proposal, but that a formal offer cannot be made without the approval of the SMU search committee and president."

About how he would release JJ from the final 6 months of his contract if he wanted to leave, HF said:
"But our intent is to keep him." (HA)

HA Note: "UH would not be able to name a new coach until the position has been advertised for 10 days. Frazier said he will not consider other options because he still considers Jones to be his football coach."

About how he thinks JJ is done at UH, Tyler Graunke said:
"It's going to bum me out. I can't lie. I had tears when I learned that. It's tough. He was a mentor to me. He was a great guy, and a great coach. He really set the stage as far as putting the program in a great position. But it happens in life and in football. The program will continue with coach Jones or without coach Jones. I'll be ready. I want all of the people in Hawai'i to know: Don't be worried. Coach Jones or not, we're going to roll." (HA)

JJ's close friend Artie Wilson said that JJ did not resign from UH yet"
"My understanding is that he wanted to go to SMU, have a conversation in person with them, do his interviews, look them face-to-face and make a decision." (HSB)

HSB Note: "By yesterday afternoon, several local news outlets had gotten word of the correspondence, and at least one took it to mean Jones had made his decision, and reported he had resigned from UH. ESPN and the Associated Press picked up the erroneous story."

About how criticizing HF doesn't help UH keep JJ, Wilson said:
"(The letter's) gotten out now and people are using it for their own benefit as a 'Get Herman' thing. The worst part is that it doesn't help us to keep June." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Jones and Steinberg have said Jones was more interested in facility improvements, higher pay for his assistant coaches and other support for the program. Jones' correspondence with his friends included 19 points of "things that have not been dealt with" by the UH administration. On Friday, Jones spent time with close friends who tried to get him to consider remaining at UH."

About how JJ doesn't want to leave, former Na Koa president Don Murphy said:
"He's very torn, just torn. He really doesn't want to leave." (HSB)

Sad that JJ is leaving, but happy for JJ, Solomon Eliminian said:
"Anyone who questions him for leaving for the opportunity, that's selfish on their part. At the same time, I'll miss him. It will be a lot different. I'm not happy, but I'm not upset with him." (HSB)

About how he plans to remain with UH for his senior year, Sol said:
"I hope the university does everything it can to keep him, and I definitely want to stay. What I don't understand is why they waited a year to offer him a contract." (HSB)

Unhappy with how UH treated JJ, season ticket holder Tony Tyler said:
"I won't be renewing my season tickets if he's gone. It ain't about the money (for Jones), it's about respect." (HSB)

About the impact this is having on recruiting, one assistant coach said:
"What would you tell them? This year's class is just about shot." (HSB)