Fallout from June Jones’ Departure

It’s bad. UH AD fired . Locals are not happy. Some understand what June Jones did.

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“In his nine years of coaching the Warriors, he not only gave us our first undefeated WAC champion team, he changed the way we think about ourselves and our potential as a state, ” Ward said.

You never know what you have untill it’s gone.

They can not say they were not warned.

Last year, Brennan brought attention to the situation when he listed the problems with the facilities, most famously the absence of soap in the locker-room showers.

Brennan’s intended message was this: If UH can succeed with inadequate resources, imagine how much better it would be if it had improved conditions.

Instead, the athletic department issued a point-by-point criticism of his claims.

Gee what a shock; CYA from the top. Kinda makes the point about how out of touch most admnistrators are these days.

Comments by State Officials

David McClain
President of the University of Hawaii

David McClain’s statement here

“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.

Class guy. However much of the blame falls on his shoulders.

“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.

Odd sentiment for such a liberal state. It’s nice to see that some believe that superior performance is to be rewarded.

Asked why, despite those promises, Jones still took the head coaching job with Southern Methodist University in Texas, UH President David McClain cited the private college’s steady financial backing, among the reasons.

At least he gets it. The rest seem to be clueless.

Linda Lingle
Governor of Hawaii

“I am confident that the spirit and unity the Warriors and all the people of Hawaii gained as a result of Coach Jones’ accomplishments will continue as the University of Hawaii moves into a new chapter in its athletic history.”

Not likely. The fan base, students, alumni are demoralized. It’s not just losing June Jones, but the complete obliviousness to what was happening. That speaks to a deeper issue within the University. Not that it’s unique to UH, but it seemed to manifest itself in a group of the most clueless people on the planet.

Virginia S. Hinshaw
Chancellor, University of Hawaii-Manoa

Virginia Hinshaw’s statement

“During negotiations with Coach Jones and his agent, the university was able to offer a financially competitive package. In addition, UH gave assurances that nonfinancial 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.

Nice spin. Talk is cheap. You promise, yet you have never delivered. He didn’t — and I would suppose that most people don’t either — believe you. Your history speaks volumes. My guess is that you will have to start the program to improve BEFORE you hire a new coach. I wouldn’t come there.

It’s sad that a program that was about to become a National Power blew it so badly. It’s sickening to see his happen. It’s a classic example of how out of touch most Administrators truly are.

Tags: June jones, hawaii, football, linda lingle, virginia hinshaw, david mcclain