Black-clad coach
adds color at UH

Sources say former NFL coach
Jerry Glanville has been hired
as defensive coordinator

June Jones repeated the question.

"Am I hiring Jerry Glanville?"

The answer was not yes or -- this time -- no. But it was a lot closer to yes than it was a week ago.

Jerry Glanville: He would take the staff spot formerly held by Mike Cavanaugh

"He's here for an interview, yes," the Hawaii football coach said. "We're interviewing four or five people."

Three sources close to the situation said yesterday the hiring of Glanville was a done deal, as did a report on ESPN.com. Glanville was not available for comment.

Jones spoke at the Honolulu Quarterback Club yesterday, on the eve of the start of UH spring football practice. He would not confirm that Glanville, the flamboyant former NFL head coach, would soon be the Warriors' new defensive coordinator.

A week ago, he'd said to "rule out" Glanville, 63, to take the staff position formerly held by offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh, who'd left for Oregon State. At the time, Jones said he had three currently-employed coaches under consideration, and that he was in no hurry to fill the position.

Yesterday, Jones all but said Glanville, who has not coached in 13 years, was the man for the job.

"Jerry and I have a background together. I think the world of him as a defensive coach," Jones said of Glanville, who was Jones' boss when they were with the Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons.

Jones said he wasn't sure if Glanville, who was on campus at the UH football offices yesterday (dressed in his trademark all-black attire), would attend practice this morning. But Glanville spent a good chunk of yesterday meeting with UH's defensive coaches.

Jones' longtime friend George Lumpkin currently holds the title of defensive coordinator.

Jones said Lumpkin would retain his title of associate coach if Glanville is hired, and Glanville will also be an associate coach. Associate coaches have more responsibility and higher pay than other assistant coaches.

Glanville fills an opening UH advertised with a pay range of $66,312 to $125,988 per year. Listed job duties include supervising other assistant coaches and coordinating recruiting.

With Glanville's hiring, Lumpkin will be moved to coaching outside linebackers and current linebackers coach Cal Lee will coach middle linebackers, sources said.

"Middle linebackers" might change to "inside linebackers," since Glanville is an advocate of the 3-4 defensive alignment. The Warriors often operate out of that formation on passing downs, but the base defense since Jones' arrival in 1999 has been the 4-3.

UH was 117th out of 118 Division I teams in total defense last season, and 118th against the run.

Although the Warriors' staff would be filled with the hiring of Glanville, a source said Jones is actively pursuing former UH special teams coach Dennis McKnight to coach the Warriors' offensive linemen.

"I can't comment on any of that stuff," Jones said when asked about McKnight.

Jones said he would be comfortable with interim offensive line coach Mouse Davis holding the spot on a permanent basis.