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Sports Watch
WHAT a difference a year makes. Just ask University of Hawaii football coach June Jones. Jones, UH can’t wait
to start practiceA year ago this time, Street & Smith's College Football Magazine predicted that his Rainbows would finish dead last in the Western Athletic Conference.
S&S was charitable, saying that Jones had his work cut out for him in trying to take over a program that was a disaster that had already happened. He inherited an 18-game losing streak -- then the longest in the nation.
The Rainbows made it 19 in a row before turning it around with a miracle finish that culminated in an Oahu Bowl victory over Oregon State.
Jones exceeded everyone's expectations, even his own as the Rainbows went from worst to a three-way tie for first.
Jones was named the WAC coach of the year, as well as being tabbed for the national coach of the year by the Sporting News, CNN/Sports Illustrated and American Football Coach magazine.
Talk about turnaround.
In this year's Street & Smith issue, Jones is the subject of a four-page takeout that begins:
"No one expected June Jones' return to Hawaii to produce college football's next dynasty, but the former NFL head coach is out to prove that last year's dramatic turnaround was no fluke."
To top it off, S&S picked the Rainbows to finish third in the 2000 WAC race behind Texas Christian and Fresno State.
"It was nice," Jones said about the S&S feature article. "Any kind of national publicity is always welcome."
Even if some of it is caustic. The 2000 Sporting News College Football magazine wrote:
"He didn't win any friends in the coaching ranks this off-season by calling out Texas -- which pulled out of a game at Hawaii this year -- but his brashness has won over recruits and fans."
Jones hadn't read the article but heard about it. And he begged to differ.
"I talked to all the coaches in Texas (Texas Tech, Houston, Texas A&M and SMU) and they thought it was funny," said Jones, who wanted to give the mighty Longhorns a tweak.
"I guess they don't like Texas, either."
MEANWHILE, Jones can't wait for football practice to start.
"We're all wishing Aug. 9 would be here," he said. "I think we have the answers. It's a matter of how fast the players pick up what we want to do."
Team bonding will really begin in earnest when two-a-days start Aug. 14.
In a way, Jones is glad that Texas pulled out of the scheduled Sept. 2 season opener at Aloha Stadium.
"We'll probably need that extra week. It may prove beneficial," said Jones, whose Rainbows will now open the season Sept. 9 against Portland State.
The only disappointment for Jones about the preseason previews is that safety Dee Miller isn't listed among the players to watch.
"I don't know why not," Jones said. "He's got to be one of the best there is."
Miller didn't make either the first or second preseason All-WAC team as selected by the Sporting News.
Offensive guard Manly Kanoa, cornerback Shawndel Tucker and kick returner Jamal Garland were the only first-team Rainbow picks.
Receiver Craig Stutzmann, running back Avion Weaver and defensive end Joe Correia were second-team picks.
Miller will get a chance to impress people. He's the only player Jones is taking to the WAC football meeting in San Jose later this month.