June Jones is coming home to Hawaii
He has a home on the Big Island. The stated reason for his resignation as SMU head coach is “personal reasons.” From most I’ve read and heard, it sounds like he needs a break, for now.
What about the future?
Norm Chow isn’t going to coach UH football forever (and his tenure could end quickly if the losing continues) and at 61, Jones is several years younger than Chow.
Some of Jones’ friends say he’s ready to roll right now. And many fans have been clamoring for change since early in Chow’s first season.
Jones led UH football to unprecedented heights, but not without controversy. Just about everyone seems to have a strong opinion one way or the other about him.
Share yours here if you like.
COMMENTS
Comments are closed.
JJ had an amazing run but he was a NFL coach who did not recruit. If I recall correctly, his staff had not visited Kahuku HS the entire time he was here. Norm Chow has not translated recruiting into victories yet but by all accounts, we are getting the type of talent we need. Let’s not go back.
This is tricky. Things are different now. Hawaii is in a tougher conference, and doesn’t play the 7-8 home game schedules that June seemed to play annually while he was at UH. There are very few gimmes. We cannot just ignore that his time at SMU, while improved from previous regimes, wasn’t exactly flawless. JJ had his struggles there too.
If you’re expecting 1999-2005 JJ era Hawaii, I think you’ll be fine with those expectations. It’s the fans who will immediately expect the 2006-2007 seasons to be replicated that will be in for a rude surprise if June were to retake the Hawaii job. Take June Jones 15 years of FBS head coaching experience, and the clear anomaly is that 2006-2007 group.
I’m okay with June returning…I just see some fans on Twitter, message boards, comment sections, etc. that seem to think if June returns that it’s time to return to the Top 25. Hold your horses…there is a legitimate possibility that the 2006-2007 era was a complete fluke. The stars were aligned for that team.
JMO of course…but while I would invite JJ’s return, he is a nothing more than a stop-gap. Eventually UH is going to have to find a younger coach.
As silly as it sounds, I like the direction Norm Chow is taking the football program. There is something about Norm Chow that I am beginning to like better than June Jones. Don’t get me wrong, I loved it when June Jones was here and was heartbroken like everyone else when he left. However, as time has passed (seven years), time has also passed June Jones’ run and shoot offense.
There was a crossroad seven years ago for June Jones. He could have stayed in Hawaii, worked through the administrative struggles, established a football dynasty and leave a legacy. He chose the money and what appeared to be greener pastures. I know hindsight is 20/20 but imagine what could have been had June Jones stayed.
I lived in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area for three years. SMU football was not even on the radar in the Metroplex. In Hawaii, Rainbow Warrior football is the big show in town. June Jones was able to do a lot in Hawaii in his time here that he would not have been able to do anywhere else. Over the last three years, I bet June Jones felt the weight of very high expectations, low community support and administrative handicaps placed on him at SMU.
My concern about Hawaii bringing June Jones back, in addition to the game passing him by, is that his struggles at SMU could have burned him out out as a coach. The 2013 and 2014 SMU Mustang seasons give testimony to that. There were also many negatives during his last three years at SMU–some not his fault but a lot as a result of choices he made.
I say we continue to move forward with Norm Chow and see how this season unfolds. Understandably, after the last game, many feel that the team has taken a few steps back. No worries, it was just one game. I believe that this team will bounce back and surprise many people in Hawaii and the nation. This is the first time in three years that I have actually felt we have a chance to have a good season.
However, if Hawaii does not do well this year and Norm Chow is forced to resign, we should not jump the gun for June Jones. We need to do a search that will help us find the best long range solution. Of course, this is UH we are talking about.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
An absolutely, resounding NO! If Norm doesn’t show signs of success, UH needs to hire a younger head coach. One name…Dino Babers…game over!
As they said in Top Gun, “That’s a negative, ghost rider.”
Jones run and shoot didn’t score much in the last two games at SMU, only one TD on the last drive of his last game.
As far as leaving UH, i think he felt he needed a change at that time, that he had taken UH to the highest it could have gone. And the players that he had at that time were hard to replace.
Bring back JJ.
Those who think Chow is doing a good job…are you from Mars or Venus? Look at the record and the half filled stands. And the boring mistake filled offense.
JJ has an uncanny ability to relate to the Polys. Players will run through a wall for JJ. Admittedly, he could have instituted a better recruiting system. He was PO’d at Kahuku bc the Jeremy Perry superstar kid was ready to sign with UH and the Kahuku coach steered him away to Oregon State, where he got injured and was never heard from again. That’s why JJ did not go back to Kahuku.
Even the big money backers who shelled out for Chow when he was hired now admit that it was a mistake.
JJ is proven. He is like Bill Snyder at Kansas State who built up K-State, the retired and K-State went into the toilet bowl. He was brough back out of retirement and resurrected K-State’s fortunes again. He is now 74 and still doing a great job. Coach Ault at Nevada is another; he built up Nevada, retired and became AD, team went into toilet bowl, came back and resurrected the program.
I see JJ doing this, putting UH back on track, groom a successor and then when he is ready, step down and turn it over to a younger person.
Hiring of JJ will eventually eliminate the UH athletic deficit. Season ticket sales have dropped by 10,000 since the year following the Sugar Bowl. Eventually gaining those fans back at $200 per season ticket means $2 million. Walk up sales of another 8,000 per game at $20 means around $800,000 per year. Deficit is gone. Not to mention shirts, caps, etc.
Imua with JJ.
He still wants to coach. He just knows SMU may not win a game this season and doesn’t want a 0-12 record to make him damaged goods. He tried to leave SMU once before for Arizona State before having to crawl back when ASU pulled its offer. Has nothing to do with him being burned out.
Give me a break. I don’t know people think JJ will make money for UH. The UH Athletic department budget spiraled out of control when he was a coach here. Take a look a the chart. JJ started in 1999 and left in 2007.
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2010/Feb/18/ln/hawaii2180335.html
June Jones will always be apart of Hawai’i history but i do feel like we need to move forward. Coach Jones I do feel would be perfect for an administrator role.
I agree with others about going w younger coaches. I too like the direction Norm Chow is taking the program. Recruiting is picking up and it seems Coach Chow has finally forged a competent staff in his third year. JJ was a weak recruiter, could never assemble a competent all around staff and didn’t pay attention to defense and special teams. He also was too lax w his players. There were issues. The genius about JJ was his keen ability to manufacture an offense around smaller players. It worked well for the talent he had available to fit his run n shoot system. The names come quickly and Mighty Mouse epitomized the example. Lord knows UH has suffered too much at the hands of bumblers who are placed in decision making positions beyond their realm. Hawaii must move on…as should JJ.
Hide your 20-something daughters.
I always wanted JJ to be our AD.
with the talent level of chow’s recruits…jj could run the table again. 14-0.
UH is in a tougher conference this year than during the june jones years? maybe the last two years of his tenure here, but other than that, MWC is basically the old WAC, only downgraded because fresno is not as good, nevada is not as good, and boise is looking pretty bad.
also, recruiting is recruiting, but is it translating to wins and a better product on the field? the 4-22342342342342 record that norm chow has says no. The first two games says no as well (although the defense seems improved). but we’ll see as the season moves forward. but if you get good recruits, but the product on the field is still terrible, then what’s the point?
maybe dave reardon can confirm this, but interest in UH football and attending UH games seems to be at its lowest point since von appen (or close to it).
JJ should relax and enjoy the money he has earned. Tough to catch lightning in a bottle twice. For all of the positives there were some negatives too. UH built had tradition before JJ but sometimes you wouldn’t know it. No to his return as coach and NO to him as AD. If no improvement by coach Chow then grab an up and comer to rebuild program. Dick Tomey turned out all right. JJ is the past. We need to move forward
chow is not going to bring any prominence to UH football, he is simply not a head coach; the job is too complex for him. he should be fired after this year as his record will not be a winning one. as for JJ, no, we should not rehire him, his time has passed, we need a younger coach that is highly motivated to do well in all aspects of the program, recruit, develop players, and forge a winning attitude by making good game time decisions. many games were lost because of poor decisions by the head coach and/or staff.
JJ’s record speaks for itself.
Best Hawaii Football coaching record.
Most bowl appearances in school history.
Only BCS bowl appearance
Biggest record turn around in NCAA history
Highest top 25 ranking in school history
UH’s only top 5 Heisman candidate
I’m surprised how easily people forget all his accomplishments when he was coach.
I say bring him back for a few years to groom someone like Rolo to take his place when he retires.
If Chow can’t win with better recruits then he’s a waste of money
I don’t think it is very respectful to Coach Chow or our team to start pushing this discussion in the media. As of right now it appears that we have an extremely competitive football team that will show its true colors over the next couple of weeks. If the team is indeed as competitive as they seem thus far, we would have Coach Chow to thank, instead of replace.
Recruiting has been Chow’s strong point. He was stubborn early, but he has become more flexible with his offense. His players have bought in to his program, and even admitted that they didn’t early on.
Now, if the season is another disappointment I would welcome a change. Keep in mind, June Jones ran a VERY loose ship. So we want that back? Hawaii has a pretty disciplined program right now. I think we could find a little bit of JJ’s offensive philosophy in another coach. Nick Rolovich.
One thing that JJ could do was motivate his players. They won a lot of games that they had no business winning. That was his biggest strength as a head coach. But defenses have caught up with the Run-n-Shoot years ago and he’s too much of a polarizing figure in Hawaii athletics now.
How about this, if Norm Chow is shown the door: Nick Rolovich as the new Head Coach? I like the sound of Coach Rolo.
Please bring coach Jones back to UH we really need a turn around and I believe he is the person who can make it happen.
I agree with most of the comments. It seems like no matter what you think about the current coaching regime, not many think the re-hiring of coach Jones would be such a good thing.
Many of the on-field aspects were already mentioned so I’d just like to add a couple off-field thoughts. While I appreciate the memorable seasons and wins that coach Jones brought to the program, I didn’t appreciate the lack of discipline that some of his teams showed as well as his attitude while running the program. I also didn’t appreciate that two of his early acts as head coach were to basically single-handedly get rid of the “rainbow” part of “rainbow warriors” (no consultation of the student body or alumni) and to tell the band that they can’t play Hawaii 5-0. It showed an arrogance and a lack of respect that left a sour taste in my mouth. Not to mention the way he left.
And I totally agree with Kev that we should let at least SOME of the season play out before this discussion is even relevant. I think the bows will surprise some during the conference season. If they don’t, then there’s plenty of time for this discussion later. I don’t see what the rush is since coach Chow has at least the rest of this season anyway.
Not sure where this “Chow is a great recruiter” talk is coming from?…have we produced any NFL talent?…we have some “good local kids” but they haven’t turned into anything
NO to June Jones. He is a has been already. Just look at his SMU record it speaks for itself.
The hiring of June Jones never excited me and although he did have some success on the field with his run and shoot offense, I would prefer to see a younger coach eventually take over the head coaching position. I was not pleased with the way June left Hawaii. I considered that to be a calculated opportunistic move. His time at SMU had some success in turning a program that had not been in a bowl game in 25 years. His last three years at SMU showed how dismal his recruiting was. He never recruited well in Hawaii for whatever reason. I am holding out for Coach Chow to have a good year despite the two losses. You cannot measure whether being a good recruiter means that you have produced NFL talent. No matter what college, only a small percentage make it into the NFL If a small division II college has a player or two make it into the NFL does it justify that coach at that small college deemed a great recruiter.
I am in agreement with Kev-1 #20. I concur.
I find it interesting that people say this topic is “disrespectful,” but then add to the discussion.
Ummm . . . DR, you posed the question, I find it disrespectful. Therefore in my addition to the conversation I tried to defend the current coach. Come on. You have this thing where you kind of get a little testy with people that respond to your topics. How is my commentary contributing to what I consider disrespectful?
There you have it. Journalistic confirmation that Jone is interested in the UH job right now. But, Ben Jay says he won’t talk to him. So, measures should be taken so that a UH AD will talk to him.
Definition of disrespectful: Showing a lack of respect or courtesy; impolite.
Posing the topic of whether or not to replace our current head coach with a previous one after a mere two games this season definitely shows a lack of respect and courtesy to the current coach. And would be considered by many as impolite.
It is your column and you are entitled to write whatever you choose. The last line of your post asked about reader opinion and you did in fact say . . . “Share yours here if you like.”
JJ had his run and made his money. Just his name would bring back some fans to Aloha Stadium, however, his version of the RnS (spread) is becoming an obsolete and defenses are having an easier time stopping it. I’m not for a 2nd JJ era.
As mentioned by an earlier commenter, JJ is not a good recruiter. He is/was good at finding guys who fit the system or a diamond in the rough here and there. He does not have good rapport with many local HS coaches and recruiting quality fell after Coach Cav left in 2004.
SMU is in the heart of the most fruitful recruiting grounds in the nation, but JJ continually had difficulty fielding much talent. SMU, post death penalty, will never again be able to recruit with UT, A&M, or the other Big12 and SEC schools for elite recruits, but there’s more than enough 3-star talent to go around for a program of SMU’s stature.
I guess the scariest thing for me about JJ for a second term is the fact that he could not find or coach up a single QB to run his offense. It’s been a revolving door of guys who get hot for a few games, then flame out. That’s a big red flag for me considering JJ is/was an offensive genius and is/was a great developer of QBs. That and his disregard for defense the past few years. Also, if he didn’t have Zach Line –a less injury prone Iosefa– battering his way to three 1,200 rush yd seasons, JJ probably would have been fired by SMU a long time ago.
~JMO
Kev-1, you’re accusing Dave Reardon of being “disrespectful” to NORM CHOW?????? DAVE REARDON??? In light of Chow’s clumsy and bullying attempt to embarrass and make Dave into a paraiah amongst his colleagues (by refusing to answer media questions UNLESS Dave left a practice field), I don’t think Reardon can EVER be accused of being disrespectful. But, certainly NOT for raising an issue at the forefront of discussion in the Hawaii sports and sportsfan community -whe
Cont.
Whether Jones is interested in the UH job, whether Chow should be replaced, and whether Chow should be replaced by Jones. I like that idea, if for no other reason than it would immediately improve community support for and interest in UH football substantially. Talking about that is disrespectful??? Uh uh. Calling it disrespectful is absurdly ignorant.
Eric Dickerson dropped a doozy on a radio show talking about how SMU is handling football program … Might sound familiar
http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/2014/09/eric-dickerson-rips-alma-maters-administration-smu-football-is-a-laughingstock-if-they-dont-want-to-do-anything-just-kill-the-program.html/
Can’t be disrespectful to a man who doesn’t earn or deserve respect.
I don’t know DR or whether or not he is disrespectful or the most respectful human being on the planet. I simply stated that I think the discussion of whether or not people want to replace the coach is disrespectful at this point.
If you were lying in bed with your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife (whatever) and he/she started talking on the phone to her friend (right in front of you) about maybe wanting to see other men/women, would you consider that respectful?
So, critical reader . . . what happens if this team under Chow has a 9-4 season (not saying they will, just what if). Do you think it would be a wise choice to replace him?
Why are you turning my comment about what I consider respectful into me attaching DR? Slow it down and try not to be such a critical reader. I don’t think my perception of a premature topic as disrespectful is ignorant either. But if you do, ok.
#35. Yeah right. Dickerson knows all about killing football programs, doesn’t he?
sorry, attacking not attaching.
#39. See, I knew something was odd. Try to look at Norm as something other than your sex partner and you might be able to see the propriety of the discussion.
Ok. Now that is absurdly ignorant. I thought you were trying to have a legitimate debate, but your preference is to turn a simple comparison I made into an insult. Enjoy the anonymity of your computer screen as you continue to be insulting to people who are simply sharing opinions. Aloha.
#40. The first part of your post is the rationale for allowing Chow to conti.ue the past 2 opening days. “He could go 9-4”. Yeah, and he could go 11-2. But he won’t, on either count. I could win a million dollars tomorrow. But it doesn’t mean I don’t try to figure out today how to earn $100. And, yeah, I think you were attacking Reardon with a cheap shot.
#44. You use an absurdly inapposite sexual relationship example to support a gratuitous attack accusation then you get what you get. And, try to come up with something better than the hide behind your computer screen thing. It’s that extraordinarily weak comeback that says, “I can’t justify my position OR come up with anything clever to say.”
By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Star-Advertiser’s TERMS OF SERVICE. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. To report comments that you believe do not follow our guidelines, email hawaiiwarriorworld@staradvertiser.com.
This isn’t about flirting with others while with boyfriends and girlfriends in bed. This is about a state funded multi million dollar program that is underperforming under the direction of someone with a salary of more than a half million dollars. And the possibility of at some point maybe having the person who ran it most successfully come back to do it again. Read what I wrote carefully … It does not say fire Chow, hire Jones …it is asking for people’s opinions on how significant shared public resources should be used. To NOT initiate this kind of discussion is disrespectful to the state taxpayers. Your opinions are welcome; I’m not testy about the “disrespect” comment I just can’t figure out the logic in your adding to a discussion you find disrespectful …
#48. Dave, I think you miss the point about the disrespectfulness. It’s not about respect, but dogma within a sector of the sportsfan community that says, “to question is to not be a fan”. You’re expected by some to be a fan, not a jounalist, and even more, not a columnist if you challenge the dogma. So, any deviation, and the attack is made on your jounalistic integrity. To me, that is the type of approach that has gotten UH to where it is. Enabling poor performance by protecting the poor performer in observance of the dogma. I get being a “fan”. But I don’t get “be the same type of fan as me, or you wear a scarlett letter”. That’s bullying. And that’s the contribution certain “true fans” have made to he sorry state of UH athletics. Because the so called “bandwagon fan”, or “not a fan”, or “not a true fan” just doesn’t like having scarlett letters thrown at them with the intention of having them stick, and certainly aren’t going to rush to the stadium to possibly find themself sitting next to their accusers. My take, Dave, is that your entry or column above is timely, relevant and a sounding board for an important set of questions, raised by a unique set of circumstances. To wit, a severely underperforming and generally unpopular sitting UH coach. A 4-26 (4-27) record over two years and two games, with a current O-2 record, an athletic department with a severe budgetary crisis, and the sudden availability of a coach with a much better performance record in Hawaii, an established following, a reputation for winning (whether deserved or not), and no doubt, the ability to inject excitement into a UH football scene sorely in need of that injection. My first question is, “should possibilities with June Jones be explored as soon as possible?”. The answer seems to be unequvocally, “yes”. My second question is whether, assuming Jones is willing, will his becoming a part of UH again will help UH, even in the short term, and better than Chow can? Once again, I think the answer is yes.
I read where an renowned sports columnist from the LA Times is relocating to the Big Island.
He resigned from his former job for personal reasons, wants to move to where he’s comfortable.
It is also noted that the current sport’s columnist for the SA isn’t going to write forever and if badly written articles, a drop off in his readership, and customers whispering for a change, which are all contributing to declining newspaper sales continue– his tenure could end quickly.
Some of the friends of the former LA columnist said, however, he’s ready to roll now…which may coincide with some of the SA readership clamoring for a new face in the sport’s columnist seat.
The former LA sport’s columnist led the LA Times to unprecedented heights, but not without controversy. Just about everyone seems to have a strong opinion one way or the other about him.
Share yours here if you like.
What I just wrote is definitely veiled, masking…almost fanning the flames like, with ulterior motives in mind. I make introduction spelling for a change, and whom a likely candidate might be… and then I shift gears at the end and ask the readers what they think. So it doesn’t make me look like the bad guy. (smart).
The ones I would hurt with my written article are the ones that are supporters of the SA sport’s columnist…in the same way the DR’s article does to the Chow supporters.
I see this clear as day.
Reardon muses about the pros and cons about a June Jones redux.
The BIG Q, is why did JJ walk away, mid season.
Is Eric D correct, in that he had differences with admin? Isn’t this the same as UH in 2007?
It is said that a football team takes on the character of the head coach.
So Chow’s teams fight to the end. After being down big, they fight back to make the game close. Hopefully, someday we get over that darn hump.
A coach who quits mid season, is like a player walking off the field because the score is 38 to 7 against you in the second half.
You better have a good reason for doing so. Injury, OK. Severe personal reasons, maybe.
At what point do you say it is OK to quit fighting and walk off the field?
I think those who are entertaining a JJ redux, better think this over really good.
IMHO, bringing JJ back is not a good idea but if Chow gets canned early then he would be a quick replacement. But we new a new younger HC with new ideas and philosophies, I say give Rolo a chance.
If DR doesn’t bring this up for discussion then who will. Simple ignoring it will not make it go away. People have been ignoring this for the past 2 years and it’s way past time to start talking about a chance at HC. If go out and lay an egg against UNI then that’s it for Chow.
There are several issues with the UH football program. UH is losing its influence to keep local talent at home because of the league they’re in. Chow is a great coach… look at his resume. Jones had a good run but will be able to compete in what I am about to say. If UH wants to repair damages, they need to apply for the PAC-12. That’s right … where’s all the local talent going … one obvious is Marcus Mariotta. I really don’t think he would have done well with the current UH team because there are other talent that accompany Marcus. Make a list of the top locals now in the PAC-12 and you will see a different UH team than the current one. I live in Oklahoma and I tell you they built their reputation and their league is always top notch.
So forget who coaches better, if UH stays in the Mountain West, don’t expect more that what you have now. Local talent will always bolt because they want exposure and recognition. Mountain West is not enough for the local boys. Bring on the PAC-12. Remember Chow ruled when he was offensive coordinator in the PAC-12.
UH sports isn’t just “sports”, its about money…its whats best for business. If there are people “offended ” that people want NC out , should get thicker skin
Again, do your homework…football is self-supporting, and is the engine that drives the program…Even with the two last years, football has been able to help fund some of the underperfroming Title IV programs.
LOL…even during JJ’s tenure, except the sugar bowl year, the athletic program was dragged down by Title IV programs.
We signed coach Chow signed for $350,000 a year. Did he really get a 150,000 raise the last two years.
JJ was making 2.1 million a year when he quit…LOL…to much pressure from getting cream from an FBS team.
This “disrespect” thing. What a joke. Norm Chow is a public figure doing a job where he is being paid hundreds of thousands of dollars with public money (with private donations too) running a football program for a public university funded by public money. There are a couple of facts that are undeniable here: He only has 4 wins so far. The offense in the third year looks suspiciously like the offense in the first year (i.e. unwatchable). He seems to be recruiting well, but it’s not translating into winning games, or even putting a watchable product on the field. UH football program attendance and revenue is dropping pretty hard.
DR isn’t out there personally attacking norm chow and calling him a senile old man who needs to go to the retirement home. He’s asking the hard questions: is this working? Are we getting the results from a head football coach who is getting paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to do what he needs to do? Is a change needed? etc.
YOU (as in kev-1 or whoever) may find it personally disrespectful because for whatever reason you may think everyone should unconditionally support UH athletics no matter what, but the trick is, you can be critical of a program and STILL support it.
If chow goes 9-4, then okay. great! all this talk about maybe finding a new coach will go out the window. why? Because he’s winning. people are excited. If he reaches von appen status by the end of the season (which he’s VERY close to right now), then yes. maybe it’s time to think about giving him the boot.
also, this whole “disrespect” vs “respect the team and the coach” talk, it’s really just a cover for censoring people who have alternative views of the program, right?
Doesn’t matter who the coach was the UH athletics was in the red how many times. Even winning with Junes Jones we was in the red period. The bottom line is the fans not supporting the program period. Fans only showing up when we are winning “bandwagon fans” or “fair weather fans” is not gonna help UH at all. It should be winning or losing fans show up. I remember a time when South Carolina was 0-21 they were still selling out football games period. That’s what you call “true fan support” and that’s how you help UH. Imagine if we did that. I don’t think UH would ever be in the red. I think they would have more say in the stadium also if that happened. UH is about there right now where South Carolina was and we don’t even have half the stadium full. Only because it was a PAC 12 members it was over 30k. If it was anyone else it would be way less. With that said just so you all know I do have season tickets. I know it’s hard for everyone to buy tickets because of everything else in life but imagine if you live in USC or Michigan how much is season tickets for there program. UH is not that bad price wise. But because they are struggling no one wants to support them. But everyone wants to comments about them. As for the coach I like June for what he did for UH when he was here but as for now I like what coach Chow is doing he’s bringing in what he needs at the moment. I say the true make it or break it season for Chow is either 2015 or 2016. Only because that’s when his recruits would be a juniors or seniors. Everyone forgets that his first recruiting class wasn’t really fair because he didn’t really have a chance to recruit because he came in late so he had to recruit anyone he could.
DR, under achieving program? Boy u are way off. The Washington team we just played is under achieving. Wit that talent they should have smoked us. I think in this day n age if u want to b competitive u have to put in the money. Hawaii doesn’t. Budget is not even close to the big programs who commit to having top tier teams year in n year out. To blame coach chow only for the lack of success here is totally wrong. There are so many other factors that contribute to why we are a subpar team trying to OVER achieve n win games. Boise St was crap 20 years ago but they decided to commit n build a program. No one coach came in n turned them around. It was putting their money into it. Built new complex, renovated stadiums, raised budget, etc. Here we don’t do that. Even JJ new that Hawaii would fall cuz we don’t commit on the money end to build a program. He new we are stuck in 80s thinking n executing. That does not work in the modern day. So yes I agree wit some that u r being disrespectful, especially to coach chow. He is doing his best in what the state chooses to give him to work with. Let’s play out the season then bring this topic up if we fall flat again. I do c a program that is getting better so I feel give it the year before this kind of talk is brought up. I’m not even a chow fan. But I no he doesn’t have a fair shake in this. JJ new that.
We want a top tier team then don’t talk bout bringing JJ back. Let’s put our tax paying money into it. Stop this dumb idea of building a 35000 seat stadium. Go big! Build a new ocean front 60000 plus stadium. Build a state of the art futuristic football complex, indoor/outdoor practice dome that can stimulate all types of weather, go after big name coaches( oregon/Baylor off coordinators types), n then we can compete. Thats wat the media should b talking bout n pushing. So since we will never do those things, just blame the coach. stop wit ur talk of under achieving. All talk no action. They r doing the best they can wit wat little they receive. Tired of the media trying to make us fans focus on bogus visions like its just the coach, instead of the truth. Easy to make us blame one coach then our lack of commitment as a state to have a big time program.
Enough with the JJ to Hawaii talk, it’s not happening in the immediate future. What’s happening in the immediate future is still a season of UH football. Let the 2014 UH Football season conclude, either winning or losing before further discussions are made about any coaching changes(if any is warranted). And if a coaching change is warranted, I don’t see JJ as the new UH football messiah. If a coaching change is needed, I’d prefer someone already on the coaching staff that the players has already developed some respect for which gives them some degree of continuity. We have younger coaches on staff now that could hold down the fort till a call for a more definite coaching change is needed. A lot of people dislike Chow, but still maintain some degree of confidence in the other coaches.
Actually, during one of june jones’ earliest press conferences, he was talking about how unique the UH fan base is. It’s not a traditional college football fan base where people will show up every single game no matter what. He said that it’s more of a pro fan base, and needs to be addressed as such. and then he proceeded to change the entire culture of the team, from the offense, all the way down to marketing and branding.
So lamenting about “UH just needs to not have fair weather fans! look at SC state!” or whatever, isn’t really an apples to apples comparison, and I feel like efforts to get more fans to the stadium should focus on how different the UH fan base and its attitude towards the team is compared to other colleges and college towns.
NO TO JUNE JUNES! If a man goes back on his word (and contract) how trustworthy can he be??
He just stiffed SMU and walked off mid-season, after signing a contract for a 3 year extension! How would you feel if JJ took the UH job then left mid-season when he got a better offer?
JJ won games.
He was not in charge of the budget. That is the AD’s responsibilities.
He put people in the seats at Aloha Stadium and got results. Everyone in Hawaii was excited about the Warriors. When was the last time we all felt that?
If JJ is open, I’d LOVE to see him back. Regardless of the record and results, we always felt we had a shot. And we felt good about our team. If he can bring that feeling back, that’s what the program needs.
Chow is simply the head coach because it is Hawaii. Anywhere else he would be canned already. Underneath our thick skins, we are all softees at heart. Major college football is a business. In business, it is all about winning. If JJ wants to coach in Hawaii again then hell, bring him back. Chow had his chances. We barely escaped going winless last season. Chow’s 2nd second, not his first. We’re on track to go .500 and a trip to the Hawaii Bowl. But shoots, the Hawaii Bowl is only a fraction of the Sugar Bowl. Ben Jay… would OSU let their AD carry the torch for this long? Nothing can compare to 2007. If JJ is available, take him back. Rolo or Babers would be a good choice. But young coaches come to mid-major schools and leave for better opportunities in time. Chow is not the answer. JJ still has some tread wear left in his tires. Go get ’em.
After reading all the comments, I conclude there is no “disrespect” to anyone. The Head Coach is being paid a lot of money to do a job, which is not being done, therefore, any criticism is warranted. Also, for those who believe “money should be spent on academics” do not understand the value of college sports, especially to Hawaii. Besides all the athletes who benefit, the State and school benefit tremendously, especially with a successful program. The entertainment value also does not seem to be considered.
The management of Athletics at all levels seems to be atrocious. The most obvious change is the Head Coach. Coach Chow has had an excellent career with many accomplishments. Being head coach is really outside of his ken. A perfect example is clock management. Managing the clock is a specific responsibility of the Head Coach. Not managing the clock can be the difference of winning or losing a game. Clock management has been non-existent. Also, the brand of football is not entertaining. I would describe it is a style opposite that of a June Jones. JJ’s games were fun to watch. The current playbook appears to be from the 70’s. Because of June Jones’ unique connection with Hawaii, I hope someone “thinks outside the box” to bring him back, even temporarily as an offensive coordinator or as the head coach. It appears that the AD is in “cahoots” with the Head Coach and is not inclined to make any changes, which is unfortunate. Maybe a new Republican governor will view it as a business and manage it as such. Unless a change is made this season, I will reluctantly bow out. Every season ticket holder should write to the legislature to “right” UH Athletics. Waiting until contracts are up is a bad business decision.
re: abunai post #59 “I say the true make it or break it season for Chow is either 2015 or 2016. Only because that’s when his recruits would be a juniors or seniors. Everyone forgets that his first recruiting class wasn’t really fair because he didn’t really have a chance to recruit because he came in late so he had to recruit anyone he could.”
===================================================
abunai, you also forgot that june jones’s first year, he took over von appons 0-12 team to a 9-4 team with basically the majority of the same players. during june jones tenure at UH, the offense has always been exciting to watch.
and since norm chow took over at UH, its like FRED VON APPON part 2. and although UH played both washington and oregan state tough, their record says 0-2. if UH dont beat nothern iowa this next game, i can honestly say that UH could be looking at being 0-8 til i see a game (utah state) that they can win. even that game against utah state would make it hard for me to believe that UH would come out with a victory.
and to be honest, i felt that chow wasnt the right man to lead UH. i say bring back JJ, let him groom rolovich and have brennen be the QB coach.
Hire JJ back, or hire Rich Miano, I really thought Norm Chow was a great hire, but he’s a offensive coordinator and not a head coach which are different animals, I think that’s the reason he’s never been a head coach and UH fulfilled his dream. His OC resume is impressive but little different at BYU, USC, NC State, UCLA, and the Titans with that pro set O. You have a better shot at getting local smaller receivers in Hawaii in JJ’s O then the prototypical big WR in the Chow pro set and local Hawaii linemen are as good or better then anywhere in the nation…JJ’s O was perfect for UH…yep a tougher league now…..JJ or Rich Miano and pay em ! UH forgets they’re a D1 program ! UH always my #1 team….Go Bows
If we are going by past success, bring back Bob Wagner! He won games. He beat BYU. He put people in the seats. See how this works if we follow this logic? Enough talk about JJ. It certainly stirs interest but is not the answer. UH will still have to pay travel costs even if.JJ returns. Costs way different now than when he was last here.
I want rid of Norm Chow too but I don’t want another fight over the “Rainbows” uniforms or colors again!
Referring to #68
True JJ took them to 9-4 in his first year. But what happened the following year? Was it a winning record? A .500 season? Nope a losing record. I’m not saying JJ was a terrible coach. I wish he never left period. But that didn’t happen. I believe he only had 2 losing seasons when he was here. I just want to be fair to any coach that coaches for our home team to have a fair chance to get the recruits they need to do what they want for the offense. If it was the other way around and Jones was in chows place I would be saying the same thing.
Abunai, I dont’ think there’s even a comparison to June Jones’ first two seasons and norm chow’s. The product that June Jones teams put on the field, even during down years, was MUCH better than anything Norm Chow has put on the field yet. JJ had a coherent offensive philosophy, established an identity for the team, did the things that they did well, and his football was always exciting to watch. This is the exact opposite of norm chow so far.
Not sure why I am bothering, but just for fun since people are so passionate.
DAVE REARDON . . . I was not making a personal attack at YOU or your opinion. If you read my very first post, my “disrespectful” reference was PURELY because the season is only TWO games in and I feel it is premature and therefore not fair to bring up. But you posed the question and I shared my view. You don’t understand why? That is just your defensiveness coming out because you didn’t like what I wrote. Your problem, not mine.
I DON’T feel people need to unconditionally support anyone. I DON’T think that Chow should be allowed to throw a program completely down the toilet. I DON’T think that the discussion should not be had about a new coach if Chow continues to lose. I DO think two games into his third season with a team that appears to be playing better is too early to have the discussion.
I think the problem with these kinds of forums, aside from the fact that many people like to run their mouths (I guess I could be included in that) is people don’t read the entire posts. They see a word like DISRESPECTFUL and get all worked up.
lol…I extremely passionate about UH football, but some people in here need to take a chill pill.
Referring to #73 4-Prong
I was answering #68 response about it…. He brought up the fact that JJ turned the program around from 0-12 to a 9-4 record. So I said what was the second year. Which it was a 3-9 losing record. But I also said I liked JJ I wish he didn’t leave. I wish he was still here. But to be fair to a coach you can’t expect success right off the back. It rarely happens in college football. To give a coach a chance you’ll need to give them 4 years at the very least. And I also said if JJ was in that same position as chow I would be saying the same thing. I’ll tell you this. I didn’t like the fact on how UH got rid of Mack. Out of his four years as head coach at UH he was tied for second in the WAC his first year, 6-7 his second year, tied for first for a WAC Championship his third year, and then a 6-7 year for his fourth year. Two bowl games out of the four years. Then he got forced out. IMO that was wrong. If he had two more losing seasons after the fourth season then I would understand why. That’s why I said the make it or break it year for chow would be next year or the following year if things didn’t change. But that’s just my opinion….
i believe that if youre part of nakoa or over 50 your opinions arent relevant. simply because for the most part that age group will buy season tickets and attend program funding functions win or lose and continue to be over opinionated on topics regarding coaching, recruiting and player performance when most of those fans have never played football but feel the need to keep running their mouths as if they were experts. everyone wants to be political about the inner workings of a football program when they really have no clue. that being said if its about budget deficit and filling up empty seats it must target the younger 20-30 somethings with young kids who they must win over to fill seats with a more entertaining style of offensive football. JUNE JONES made this program and can sure as hell turn it around. if youre still salty about his exit youre way too heavily invested in a program that isnt equally invested in you. its all about the product evolving with the times with the ability to reach a wide range of potential fans to fill the stadium and not so much towards the loyal crybaby fans who will be at the stadium anyways win or lose. if you think rainbow warriors > warriors im talking about you.
Referring to Kevin-1 #74
I agree with you!! What these reporters should bring up is the lack of support from the state and how the state should really help UH in growing so it can become self stable and be successful. The lack of funding they have for a state institution and the only D-1 football program in the state would really affect the program. The stadium authority should stop being greedy or whoever it is and just give the stadium to UH period!!!! Without UH football the stadium wouldn’t be used for anything else but a swap meet…
Plus anything they they make from parking to merchandise UH should get a cut from that also….. But that’s just my 2 cents….
Stay with N. Chow until the end of this football year and then decide on his future
and then the future of Manoa football. Can’t recruit good football players then
UH will also have mediocre seasons. JJ won’t be big game changer
Isn’t there room for BOTH Norm and June at UH?
I’m flying to Kona Saturday to welcome June home. I’m glad he didn’t touch anything on the way out
Kev-1,
You finally answered my question by saying you’re probably among the people who just want to run their mouths. I’m done now; I’ve got my answer and there are much better things to do with my time. Have a great day.
#79. Glad reporters aren’t trying to leverage the State for more taxpayer money (my money) to pay for entertainment. Shows a public conscience and ability to be other than completely self-interested/absorbed. Giving the stadium to UH would be a disaster. They can’t run or maintain what they have. Hawaii would lose eventually the Stadium as a useable asset to neglect and mismanagement (the fate of other UH facilities), and the big revenue generating activity would be an area with kiddie bouncers. One of the great nights of the week in the fall can be the great brand of football played by the local high schools. It’s such an inspiring thing to watch, and the kids get so jazzed to be able to play there. The graduations held there are also such happy times. Although it’s hot at the 50th State fair, the lower lot provides ample open space, and if it rains, no mud. Anyone go to the U-2 concert?
So interesting how blog warrior pride leads so often to clumsy sophistry.
I got my answer too Dave Reardon. I thought you were better than other people say. I guess I was wrong.
Kinda sad when you think about it. You have a forum where you can ask people their opinions. But when one arises that you disagree with, you stoop to unprofessional levels. It is one thing for another blogger to insinuate and insult another blogger. But for the blog host to do that? That is pretty sad. I never insulted you. Yet you have made every effort to take my words and use them to insult me. That is highly unprofessional as a journalist with this newspaper.
Hawaii Bowl! No time for JJ. Chow has turned the program around already.
Its true we had some exciting football with Jones but his personal misconduct and the cover up left a bad taste in my mouth. The head coach should set an example on and off the field. Everyone knows what happened and to rationalize such behavior because we were winning is reprehensible.
welcome back jj! Hawai’i welcomes you back with open arms. Many of you fail to remember what jones did in his tenure in the islands, a bottom dwelling team to a nationally ranked bcs bowl, think about that for a minute. i am in total disbelief in people defending the way chow has run this team into oblivion.