Quotes from the local papers

HA Note: "Representatives of football coach June Jones are claiming he had a verbal agreement to be let out of his contract with the University of Hawai'i without a financial penalty, people involved in the process say. That is why the former Warriors coach has yet to pay the school $400,008 the contract says UH is owed in the event of termination before the June 30, 2008 expiration date, according to people familiar with the negotiations."

HA Note: "Under the terms of the five-year agreement Jones signed with UH in 2003, he owes the school $400,008 — the amount the school paid him for one season — "if he terminates this agreement prior to June 30, 2008," according to the contract. Though Jones received $800,016 per year from UH, the school said half of it was paid by donations. A clause in the agreement would have allowed him to exit in the fourth or fifth years for an NFL head coaching job under the same terms.

The contract said he was prohibited from accepting employment "under any circumstances as a men's football coach at any institution of higher education which is a member of the NCAA, or for any men's football team participating in any professional league or conference in the United States ... " prior "to the expiration date of the term of this agreement ... without first obtaining a written release or a negotiated settlement." The contract states that "in the event the university releases coach of his obligations under this agreement, coach shall be responsible for paying to the university liquidated damages ... " "

HSB Note: "Three safeties expected to contend for playing time this fall will miss Hawaii spring football practice while recovering from injuries. Senior Erik Robinson (shoulder), junior Viliami Nauahi (arm) and freshman Le'Marcus Gibson (knee) all need time to heal, but should be ready for fall practice, Warriors defensive backs coach Rich Miano said yesterday.

Two-year starting safety Jake Patek's eligibility has expired, but the Warriors return seniors Keao Monteilh and Desmond Thomas, who both started last year. Top backup Dane Porlas, also a senior, and the potential of sophomores Spencer Smith and Kenny Estes makes safety one of UH's deepest positions, despite the spring injuries."

HSB Note: "Senior Ryan Mouton will likely start at one corner after making big contributions as a nickelback and emergency safety last year. Miano said he is also excited about Oregon transfer Jameel Dowling, a senior who can play corner or safety. The plan for now is corner."

About Dowling, Miano said:
"He's rangy and long, but he's also very tough. He has the skills to play anywhere in the secondary." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Dowling is listed at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds. He played in 11 games at Oregon in 2006 as a first-year JC transfer. Senior Calvin Roberts is also in the mix, Miano said."

HSB Note: "Brothers Cameron Allen-Jones and C.J. Allen-Jones will both give defensive end a shot this spring, coming from different directions. Cameron was an offensive lineman and H-back. C.J. was an outside linebacker who started four games in 2006. At 6-foot-2, 275 pounds, Cameron has the bulk for strong side end, while C.J. is listed at 6-2 and 200, making him more suited for pass rush."

About how they will take their time before figuring out where Les Soliai will play, Mack said:
"He sort of wants to play defense, but since he's just starting out we want to look at him on both sides and let him get a feel for the game. We're going to move some guys back and forth." (HSB)

Hoping that UH doesn't get hurt by the APR, Clapp said:
"I can say I believe we are making good progress." (HSB)

HSB Note: "UH lost five football and one baseball scholarship in 2006 and one football scholarship last year."