UH Board of Regents Approves New Contract for June Jones

Regents unanimously approve reappointment of Jones as UH Manoa Warrior Football Head Coach for a five-year term

University of Hawaiʻi
Contact:
Carolyn Tanaka, (808) 956-6106
Associate Vice President
Posted: Jun 20, 2003

The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents (BOR) at its monthly meeting today approved a new five-year contract for UH Warrior Football Head Coach June Jones. Jones‘ contract covers the period July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2008.

Jones‘ base salary will be $400,008 paid for out of revolving funds from the UH Mānoa Athletics Department, with an additional matching amount of $400,008 from private donations.

"I am pleased that the Board of Regents has given their support to an excellent coach," said UH President Evan Dobelle. "June has been an exceptional leader on and off the field, and we look forward to many more successful Warrior football seasons under his leadership."

Since taking over the reins of a dwindling football program, Jones has elevated the Warriors to national prominence. In his first season (1999), he led the team to a 9-4 record—the biggest turnaround in NCAA history. Also in that year, the Warriors won a share of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) championship and defeated Oregon State, 23-17, in the Jeep Oahu Bowl—their first bowl game since 1992. The Warriors attained a No. 28 national ranking (Associated Press) and have been ranked in the Top 40 for three of Jones‘ four years as head coach. Currently, Jones has 31 wins as head coach of the Warriors.

"I‘ve always said I wanted to be here and I‘m grateful that I can stay and finish the job I came here to do," Jones said. "I‘m thankful to the people involved in getting this contract done and looking forward to getting the program moving in the right direction. I‘m especially thankful to President Dobelle for his leadership and continuous support of myself and the team since he has become president.

"We have some exciting things ahead and I‘m glad that I will be a part of it. I feel that what I have said and done has always been the same. It was never about the money. I‘ve always said that this is where I want to be because I have a fondness for the people here and the players are like my own family. I‘ve had opportunities to take more money in other places, but have chosen not to and am truly honored to have this contract at UH."

Jones has been recognized with numerous national awards, including National Coach of the Year and WAC Coach of the Year after the success of the 1999 season. His leadership has helped garner numerous accolades for Warrior players as well with five All-Americans and 52 all-WAC performers. Jones has also revived the stream of professional prospects with eight Warriors picked in the NFL Draft, including Ashley Lelie who was chosen in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos—the highest pick in school history (19th overall). The Warriors won a total of 12 games and failed to have a player drafted in the five years prior to Jones‘ arrival.