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TODAY'S WARRIORS NOTEBOOK

Players happy
Jones is out

News of the release of University of Hawaii head coach June Jones wasn't officially announced at today's practice.

Associate head coach George Lumpkin also said that Jones would not attend any workouts this week.

"We didn't tell the players anything yet," Lumpkin said this morning. "But he will not be at tomorrow's practice or the Saturday scrimmage.

"The players will be overwhelmed and overjoyed at the news of his release. But he's still quite sore. He's doing great. But I don't think he's ready to come out here this week. Maybe next week. We'll see how it goes.

"The main thing right now is for him to get better. I believe June was granted a miracle and God has something left for him to do. He'll get that done."

UH assistant coach Mike Cavanaugh wasn't aware Jones was out. Neither was quarterback Tim Chang, who was glad to hear the news.

"He's like a father to us out on the football field," said Chang, who recently became an uncle after his sister gave birth to a baby girl. "It's a relief he's getting out and it just shows his mental toughness.

"You could just see him pacing around in the hospital waiting to get out. I'm sure he wants to come out here and be with us, but his health is our concern. We just want him to get better."

Hawaii completed its ninth of 15 spring workouts. And despite Jones not attending any so far, Lumpkin believes the team has stayed focused.

"I think we've had an excellent spring," Lumpkin said. "The players are getting better on both sides of the football. And that's a tribute to them because not having the head coach here could be a distraction.

"Instead, I think the players have taken it upon themselves to work even harder. They want to show him how much they've done while he was away."

Jones was involved in a one-car accident on H-1 three weeks ago tomorrow. He suffered serious internal injuries and almost died before doctors repaired a ruptured aorta.

"June's out?" Cavanaugh asked. "After all he's been through, that's amazing. That's great news for everybody on this football team and in the community."

Injury update

Defensive tackle Mike Iosua returned to practice this morning after missing a week with a sprained ankle.

"I feel great," Iosua said. "I'm glad to be back on the field."

The news wasn't as good for cornerback Hyrum Peters, who remains sidelined with a hamstring pull. The UH training staff believes he will return for tomorrow's workout.

UH secondary coach Rich Miano is pleased with that news, but will be disappointed to hear the report on Jacob Espiau. Used sparingly this spring, Espiau made a nice interception at this morning's workout.

That's the good news. The bad news is, he drove his shoulder into the turf. He suffered a slight shoulder sprain that could keep him sidelined for the rest of spring. But it's possible he'll be back next week.

"It's not that bad," Espiau said. "I'll be back and soon."

Espiau joins Nate Jackson on the sidelines. The top free safety is out for the spring with a broken foot he suffered last fall camp.

"It gives us a chance to look at some of the other players back there," UH defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said. "I just hope we don't have as many injuries t as we had last year."

Defensive end Travis Laboy remains sidelined as well. He missed his third practice because of the flu.

Holt cleared

Junior college transfer Mike Holt was recently cleared to take part in the spring workouts. He is one of three recruits who transferred in at midterm.

"He had to get some paperwork done, but that's all been cleared up," Cavanaugh said. "We're glad to have him out here with us."

Holt is moving from defensive line to offense. Cavanaugh has high hopes for him in the future.

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Paul Arnett, Star-Bulletin

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UH Athletics
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