Friday, December 24, 1999

Jones well worth
the money,
poll says

81% have a favorable
opinion of the UH coach

By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin

If there were any doubts that June Jones could get the job done as the head coach for Hawaii, they were dispelled during this magical football season.

The Rainbows went from 0-12 to 8-4 in one of the three greatest turnarounds in NCAA history.

And while the fans aren't piling into Aloha Stadium at the rate athletic department officials would like, if Jones' favorability rating is any indication, they may be soon.

In the latest Honolulu Star-Bulletin/NBC Hawaii News 8 poll, a whopping 81 percent said they had a favorable view of Jones, up from 29 percent in February. Both polls had a margin for error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.

Respondents were also asked whether Jones' reported five-year contract worth $400,000 a year is too high, too low or about right?

In the most recent poll, only 28 percent thought it was too high and 51 percent thought it was about right. In February, 51 percent said it was too high and 29 percent thought it was about right.

"Returning to Hawaii at just the right time was always a dream of mine," said Jones, who has been preparing the Rainbows for tomorrow's Oahu Bowl against Oregon State."I always envisioned something like this happening. It feels right to be here."

The latest poll, of 411 registered voters, was taken Dec. 9-13 by telephone by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research Inc. of Washington, D.C.