Nothing ever is a lock until you read the fine print, just ask the USFL with regards to signing coaches. Former Houston Roughnecks head coach June Jones was thought to be a lock for the University of Hawaii football head coaching job, until they started talking details.
Jones was the HC of the Rainbow Warriors from 1999 to 2007, turned that program around and was the program’s all-time winningest coach. The sudden resignation of former UH head coach Todd Graham on Jan. 14th kick off talks.
This was yesterday…
According to KHON2.
“Friday afternoon, he turned the offer and position down, sources told KHON2.
Terms of UH’s offer, which Jones rejected, were not disclosed. Money was not a factor in the decision, with the biggest holdup being terms of the arrangement.”
Jones then took to Twitter to say why he turned down the position.
“So I would like to comment and give my thoughts on the Football Head Coaching job..I am still interested in this job for the people of Hawaii but the job offered to me today there is no way I could accept with the conditions offered me …No coach in their right mind would accept!
Dictating who can be on my staff and only 2 year contract..What recruit would come if I was here for 2 years???..this has never been about money-but it is about giving me the ability to turn our program around and not have people tell me who is on my staff or how to coach my team”
UH athletics director David Matlin released a statement on the offer.
“We met with Coach Jones earlier today and, unfortunately, could not come to terms with an agreement for him to be our next head football coach,” the statement reads. “I understand that there has been a lot of support for Coach Jones this past week but he has declined our offer. I respect his decision and we need to move forward in our search. At the end of the day we couldn’t agree on a succession plan that I felt was important for our student-athletes and supporters of Rainbow Warrior football. We are working tirelessly to get a head coach on board to lead our program and are fully aware of the sensitivity to national signing day on Feb. 2.”
This now leaves the door open for a potential return to the Houston Roughnecks as head coach and general manager. The Roughnecks were the top team in the XFL before their doors closed after 5 games.
We should learn more about the XFL plans in the next two weeks as The Rock announced last Monday.
