Comments on: June Jones: hero or scoundrel?

By: grargeIrova

grargeIrova — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 05:01:11 +0000

friend has given the link has not regretted that has come

By: 2 slaps from Hilo

2 slaps from Hilo — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:12:54 +0000

I remember the wothoppen years. JJ and his team gave me alot of good memories. If it weren’t for him, the Governor and Legislators and UH Pres and UH Chancellor wouldn’t have bitten the bullet to put us in the position we find ourselves today.

And if I were on a jury, and the contest was this breach of contract issue, if JJ produced the eemail and brought in HF as a witness, I’d decide the UH rep HF was not contradicted by the UHPres or the UHChancellor and, as much as I personally think JJ is da shibai master, I’d also let him go and move on. Not good for him, very cheap for us. Especially since we’re learning alot more about the HF loser these days, and we know that UH boosters want to support a winner. Making like “that” cheapens us all…

By: Hilo Warrior

Hilo Warrior — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:16:41 +0000

June Jones is the master of shibai and stuck it to all of us. He was already looking forward to his new job while we were all hyped about playing in the Sugar Bowl with a team that was not mentally prepared for it.
To lose that game like we did is embarassing. He left before the end of his contract and he has the big bucks to pay our poor athletic department the $400K. He was not a great fundraiser for the department and did not get things for his team. If he was that influential (or caring), a couple of phone calls could produce soap, etc for the team…think about it.

By: Not an Expert

Not an Expert — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 22:55:55 +0000

Damm if you do damm if you don’t.

From the comments posted it appears to be quite even on the consensus.

Big concerns:

1) Don’t let this lead to the opening of Pandora’s Box on any contract disputes. Let’s not have this set any presedence.

2) As someone stated do not burn the bridge between JJ and UH. He may want to continue his support of UH athletics.

3) Upon settlement the unhappy opinionators should except what is.
Most importantly continue your support to UH athletics no matter what the decision.

By: Common sense

Common sense — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:56:33 +0000

If you hire a contractor to work for you until December 08 to build 3 houses would you penalize him if he finished the 3rd house in July 08?

JJ was contracted for 3 years which is basically 3 football seasons, Which he completed. If I’m not mistaken all UH coaches contracts expire on June 30 because that’s when the fiscal year ends. The coaches job for the year is basically done when the season is over. After that they are working towards next year.

JJ did his job and did it well. Frazier dropped the ball by not locking him into a contract earlier. UH should just thank JJ for his work and move on. Focus on ways to make the future better.

By: Warrior Fan in Texas

Warrior Fan in Texas — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:02:59 +0000

June Jones brought the UH Football program from laughing stock/wall flower to prime time/Prom Queen (no gender pun intended). For this, he is a “Hero”. He left at the summit of his and the football teams success. For this, he is a “smart businessman”. He (or more rightly so, his Agent) should pay back $200,000 for violating the terms of his contract. For this, he will have demonstated the wisdom of “King Solomon” and provided the “win-win” solution that would keep him atop in the “King of the Mountain” legend.

By: RedZone

RedZone — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 07:10:40 +0000

I think neither hero nor scoundral. While he was here I think that he did some good things for the program. So have other coaches. Coaches in the past have used UH as a stepping stone to better paying positions. I see no problem with this as this is their profession and how they make their living.

As I do not know the terms of the contract or any other agreements made between JJ and school officials I will leave the matter in the hands of the mediator. I think that this is a business matter and should not reflect on how JJ feels about the people of Hawaii. If he chooses to retire here I will welcome him back with open arms.

By: Jimbo

Jimbo — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:41:17 +0000

Document the bumbling for all to read. Bumbling Herman Frazier.

By: digusted

digusted — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:34:46 +0000

Jones started out as a hero but in the later years he morphed into s scoundrel.
Going back 2-3 years ago, Jones was not happy being here and was looking for better opportunities. None came along until the SMU job and he jumped at it, knowing that this was his only chance. He is a hero if he honors the contract but a scoundrel if he does not.

By: gumby

gumby — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:31:40 +0000

Kaipo,

Thanks for your opinions… well taken. Money wasn’t exchanged between UH and JJ. This is a principled issue. If JJ was paid but did not work, he should have to pay the money back. But since he did not receive money for the last six months of the contract, he should be excused from paying the school considering the success he brought to the program.

The question is whether JJ should honor the letter of the contract OR should UH forgive JJ because he did not receive compensation and because of what he did to build the program.

We fear this may set a precedence. It doesn’t have to if handled properly. Instead of working to get money from JJ, UH should work to find a way to release JJ from the contract. The school and athletic department should then create a policy making the end of respective athletic seasons the end of contracts for coaches. This became a problem because of the ending date of the contract–June instead of January. This does not make sense.

Taking the high road will do more for Hawaii than taking $400,008 from JJ. The program will be better off. Taking the money is more to “get back” at JJ for leaving than anything else. We don’t have to operate that way. We can stand tall as Warriors and rise beyond where we are. Mulling over past misery will keep us from making progress. Let us look forward to what the future can be. One of the best ways to do that is to let go and move ahead. Remember, what goes around comes around. We can rectify this situation.