2008 Woodie Awards
Hinshaw and McClain address Coach Jones' resignation
Casey Chin
Issue date: 1/3/08 Section: News
On Monday Jan. 7, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw and UH system President David McClain addressed June Jones' decision to resign as the Warriors' head coach and accept a position at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX.
No announcements were made as to who would replace Jones as head coach. Warriors fans are also in the dark as to when a new coach can be expected. McClain stressed that the search for a new coach would begin "as quickly as possible."
A statement will be released on Tuesday to address the future of UH Athletic Director Herman Frazier, who has been criticized for failing to retain Jones and for his handling of Sugar Bowl tickets and the football team's 2007 schedule.
Despite UHM's offer to competitively increase Jones' salary and its assurances to address his non-financial concerns, Jones ultimately decided to take his coaching experience elsewhere. "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," Hinshaw said.
McClain said SMU is able to offer benefits to Jones that UHM cannot provide. He said a private university has significantly more financial support and may not be as bogged down by bureaucracy as a public university.
McClain thinks that such a move would also give Jones a more private life with his family. "In our community, June's a rock star and in a Dallas environment June's going to be a little bit more anonymous," McClain said. "Maybe that will give him a little more time for his family."
Acknowledging the shock many Warriors fans feel over Jones' departure, McClain personally took responsibility for the last minute negotiations between Jones and UHM that resulted in Jones leaving. "I felt that it was appropriate," McClain said. "I saw where we were at and I thought I could make a difference - almost did."
"All of us definitely wanted Coach June Jones to continue at UH Mānoa," Hinshaw said. "He has accomplished so very much here in Hawai‘i, and his 9-year coaching record shows that he is truly a transformational leader."
"Like all of Hawai‘i, I'm greatly disappointed that Coach Jones has decided to take this new opportunity at SMU," McClain said. "June has done so much for our university and our community, and we wish him every success."
No announcements were made as to who would replace Jones as head coach. Warriors fans are also in the dark as to when a new coach can be expected. McClain stressed that the search for a new coach would begin "as quickly as possible."
A statement will be released on Tuesday to address the future of UH Athletic Director Herman Frazier, who has been criticized for failing to retain Jones and for his handling of Sugar Bowl tickets and the football team's 2007 schedule.
Despite UHM's offer to competitively increase Jones' salary and its assurances to address his non-financial concerns, Jones ultimately decided to take his coaching experience elsewhere. "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," Hinshaw said.
McClain said SMU is able to offer benefits to Jones that UHM cannot provide. He said a private university has significantly more financial support and may not be as bogged down by bureaucracy as a public university.
McClain thinks that such a move would also give Jones a more private life with his family. "In our community, June's a rock star and in a Dallas environment June's going to be a little bit more anonymous," McClain said. "Maybe that will give him a little more time for his family."
Acknowledging the shock many Warriors fans feel over Jones' departure, McClain personally took responsibility for the last minute negotiations between Jones and UHM that resulted in Jones leaving. "I felt that it was appropriate," McClain said. "I saw where we were at and I thought I could make a difference - almost did."
"All of us definitely wanted Coach June Jones to continue at UH Mānoa," Hinshaw said. "He has accomplished so very much here in Hawai‘i, and his 9-year coaching record shows that he is truly a transformational leader."
"Like all of Hawai‘i, I'm greatly disappointed that Coach Jones has decided to take this new opportunity at SMU," McClain said. "June has done so much for our university and our community, and we wish him every success."
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