OK class. Return to your seats. It's time to read another chapter and verse of "Great Expectations." He’s a football
coach, not a
miracle workerIt has been awhile since we last met, but obviously, some of you learned very little from our previous sessions. Remember what Charles Dickens wrote so sagely, "Take nothing on its looks; take everything on evidence. There's no better rule."
Only three years removed from predicting Fred vonAppen would be the savior of local college football, we're already hearing similar statements about June Jones.
Perhaps it's the same people who believed last year's basketball team was not only a safe bet to make the NCAA tournament, but that guard Anthony Carter was a sure first-round draft choice in the NBA as well.
Tsk, tsk, tsk.
Now, we're hearing how Jones is the real deal for Hawaii football because he loves the islands, understands her people and will convince the local boys to stay home.
One Bank of Hawaii executive even boldly predicted that the hiring of Jones could be the shot in the arm the local economy has so desperately needed. It's enough to make you change accounts.
OF course, there is nothing wrong with being enthusiastic about a new coach and his staff. After watching only five wins in three seasons, optimism should be the word of the day.
But while it's understandable for the Hawaii athletic department to visit spin city, the rest of you need to bypass this town and keep in mind there's no quick fix for this struggling program.
For one, this is a team that has lost 18 consecutive games. The senior class that includes Adrian Klemm, Kaulana Noa and Tony Tuioti will be playing for their third head coach in five years.
Many of the younger players were recruited by former defensive coordinator Tom Williams and, not surprisingly, are disillusioned by his departure.
The number of Rainbows on scholarship is so depleted, Jones may look around and think he has been transported back in time to his playing days at Division II Portland State.
Even if Jones has a plan that potential recruits find to their liking, it's probably too late to make a convincing sale with the national signing date just six weeks away.
VonAppen found himself in a similar situation in 1996 and UH fans suffered through the results of that late start this past season.
SO be cool. Don't ask for the moon from June just two weeks into his reign. As positive a person as he is, he has even tempered his remarks with "It's going to take some time," and "We need your help if we're going to make this thing work."
Jones already received a helping hand from local booster Alec Waterhouse, who is willing to slap down a half-million bucks to help repair the beleaguered grass practice fields.
This kind of community commitment is crucial for long lasting success. But it's going to take a coordinated effort on many fronts to return this program to respectability.
It's not going to happen next year, especially considering this spring the team will be learning its third defense and fourth offense since 1995. Imagine if Microsoft ran its business in similar fashion. We would have Broken Windows 98.
No, it's best for all concerned not to expect too much, too soon. Better to be pleasantly surprised than bitterly disappointed, something that will definitely be on the test the next time we meet.
In the long run, Jones may be the answer to George Steinbrenner's . . . excuse me, Hugh Yoshida's prayers. He has head coaching experience at the highest level, he has ties to Hawaii, and he runs an offense quarterbacks and receivers love.
But give the guy a break. It took Moses more than one season to get to the promise land, and as Shakespeare once wrote, "They stumble, who run fast."
Class dismissed.
Paul Arnett has been covering sports
for the Star-Bulletin since 1990.