I don't think U of Hawaii fans like SMU

[FriscoPMG]

I wouldn't be too happy with SMU either if the roles were reversed.

Non-issue and not a big deal. He's here now, get over it.

I don't know what you mean by "non-issue." But for this board, I personally think it IS an interesting and relevant issue simply because of all of the people on this board who have proclaimed how neat-o it would be if we were in the Hawaii Bowl because we would be the toast of the town or something. I don't know what facts and experiences those who think the Hawaii Bowl would be ideal, or that we will be celebrated, have, but my personal experience there makes me think it may not be such a great welcoming by the majority of those attending the Hawaii Bowl.

IF we get to a bowl, then I don't care what bowl it is. But I agree that the Hawaii Bowl is one of the least beneficial to SMU as a whole. Based on June's quote, he is committing to it because it benefits him and his old home...I don't see much benefit at all compared to other closer bowls. This is the June quote I'm referring to:

“Our goal is to get to Hawaii and play in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl,” said Jones, who was the former Hawaii coach. “I believe that if we’re bowl-eligible, we’ll go to Hawaii because of the possibility of selling more tickets and the ratings for the game if I’m going back.”

Again, I'll be thrilled with any bowl we get to, but I'd much rather prefer it be a bowl that the majority of SMU fans at least have an option of traveling to. I think that benefits SMU a lot more than a bowl that'll sell tickets because of June's presence.

[redpony]

Again, I'll be thrilled with any bowl we get to, but I'd much rather prefer it be a bowl that the majority of SMU fans at least have an option of traveling to. I think that benefits SMU a lot more than a bowl that'll sell tickets because of June's presence.

Well stated. In addition,I believe that the Hawaii bowl would be the least financially rewarding of any of the bowl that we might play in.

GO PONIES!!!

[Garret]

One thing that nobody on ponyfans has mentioned when discussing the Hawaii Bowl is that JJ is a big reason why the C-USA got the Hawaii Bowl spot. Without giving the Hawaii Bowl the second choice (after the Liberty Bowl), it is quite possible that there would be NO C-USA team going to the Hawaii Bowl.

Take away the Hawaii Bowl spot for C-USA and the bar gets raised for SMU to get to any bowl game. JJ seems sure that SMU gets to go to the Hawaii Bowl with 6 wins this season, but take that bowl game away from C-USA and SMU probably gets *no* bowl game with 6 wins. Complain all you want about the bowl situation, but that is reality.

This is why JJ has focused on getting to 6 wins all season. That was a reachable goal and the Hawaii Bowl is a big reward for the team to shoot for. One thing that I do not think he counted on is that SMU could win 7 or 8 games, which would mean that they probably (but even 7 games does not guarantee a bowl if you take the Hawaii Bowl away from C-USA) have gone to a bowl game.

So, with the Hawaii Bowl deal, SMU goes to a bowl by winning 6 games. Without the Hawaii Bowl deal, SMU might not go to a bowl even if it won 7 games. *That*, I believe, is the risk/reward equation that JJ, Orsini, and C-USA used when pushing for the Hawaii Bowl deal for C-USA.

I'm sure that JJ hasn't forgotten how the 2001 season ended with the team 9-3 and having no bowl game to go to. The Hawaii Bowl was created because of that 9-3 team. It would be a shame if a 6-6 or 7-5 SMU team wouldn't get to go to a bowl, but with the Hawaii Bowl deal that problem is avoided.

Next season SMU should be much better and can shoot for a bigger bowl (JJ will start talking about the Liberty Bowl instead of just getting to 6 wins like this year). This year going to *any* bowl will have significant benefits for the SMU program.

To turn around the title of this thread:

I don't think that SMU fans realize the benefit this year's Hawaii Bowl deal has for SMU.

[The PonyGrad]

I was over there this summer and wore SMU gear quite a bit. I actually thought I'd get a little more of a reaction. The folks who did approach me and said something were all nice about it. They of course were upset about losing him, but didn't show any ill will against SMU -- actually wished us a lot of luck and said we got a good one with JJ.
Who knows, maybe now that the season is underway and Hawaii is struggling, they've now become more bitter towards June's new sugar mama.

Ding ding ding

[The PonyGrad]

One thing that nobody on ponyfans has mentioned when discussing the Hawaii Bowl is that JJ is a big reason why the C-USA got the Hawaii Bowl spot. Without giving the Hawaii Bowl the second choice (after the Liberty Bowl), it is quite possible that there would be NO C-USA team going to the Hawaii Bowl.

Take away the Hawaii Bowl spot for C-USA and the bar gets raised for SMU to get to any bowl game. JJ seems sure that SMU gets to go to the Hawaii Bowl with 6 wins this season, but take that bowl game away from C-USA and SMU probably gets *no* bowl game with 6 wins. Complain all you want about the bowl situation, but that is reality.

This is why JJ has focused on getting to 6 wins all season. That was a reachable goal and the Hawaii Bowl is a big reward for the team to shoot for. One thing that I do not think he counted on is that SMU could win 7 or 8 games, which would mean that they probably (but even 7 games does not guarantee a bowl if you take the Hawaii Bowl away from C-USA) have gone to a bowl game.

So, with the Hawaii Bowl deal, SMU goes to a bowl by winning 6 games. Without the Hawaii Bowl deal, SMU might not go to a bowl even if it won 7 games. *That*, I believe, is the risk/reward equation that JJ, Orsini, and C-USA used when pushing for the Hawaii Bowl deal for C-USA.

I'm sure that JJ hasn't forgotten how the 2001 season ended with the team 9-3 and having no bowl game to go to. The Hawaii Bowl was created because of that 9-3 team. It would be a shame if a 6-6 or 7-5 SMU team wouldn't get to go to a bowl, but with the Hawaii Bowl deal that problem is avoided.

Next season SMU should be much better and can shoot for a bigger bowl (JJ will start talking about the Liberty Bowl instead of just getting to 6 wins like this year). This year going to *any* bowl will have significant benefits for the SMU program.

To turn around the title of this thread:

I don't think that SMU fans realize the benefit this year's Hawaii Bowl deal has for SMU.

I agree with this as well.

Time to get over complaining about the great benefit we have. Remember Rice with 9 wins some years ago sitting home.

[FriscoPMG]

One thing that nobody on ponyfans has mentioned when discussing the Hawaii Bowl is that JJ is a big reason why the C-USA got the Hawaii Bowl spot. Without giving the Hawaii Bowl the second choice (after the Liberty Bowl), it is quite possible that there would be NO C-USA team going to the Hawaii Bowl.

Take away the Hawaii Bowl spot for C-USA and the bar gets raised for SMU to get to any bowl game. JJ seems sure that SMU gets to go to the Hawaii Bowl with 6 wins this season, but take that bowl game away from C-USA and SMU probably gets *no* bowl game with 6 wins. Complain all you want about the bowl situation, but that is reality.

This is why JJ has focused on getting to 6 wins all season. That was a reachable goal and the Hawaii Bowl is a big reward for the team to shoot for. One thing that I do not think he counted on is that SMU could win 7 or 8 games, which would mean that they probably (but even 7 games does not guarantee a bowl if you take the Hawaii Bowl away from C-USA) have gone to a bowl game.

So, with the Hawaii Bowl deal, SMU goes to a bowl by winning 6 games. Without the Hawaii Bowl deal, SMU might not go to a bowl even if it won 7 games. *That*, I believe, is the risk/reward equation that JJ, Orsini, and C-USA used when pushing for the Hawaii Bowl deal for C-USA.

I'm sure that JJ hasn't forgotten how the 2001 season ended with the team 9-3 and having no bowl game to go to. The Hawaii Bowl was created because of that 9-3 team. It would be a shame if a 6-6 or 7-5 SMU team wouldn't get to go to a bowl, but with the Hawaii Bowl deal that problem is avoided.

Next season SMU should be much better and can shoot for a bigger bowl (JJ will start talking about the Liberty Bowl instead of just getting to 6 wins like this year). This year going to *any* bowl will have significant benefits for the SMU program.

To turn around the title of this thread:

I don't think that SMU fans realize the benefit this year's Hawaii Bowl deal has for SMU.

I'm not trying to downplay the importance of the connection between JJ and the Hawaii Bowl. Without knowing all the details, I have no doubt that the bowl organizers added the C-USA team option with some informal agreement that SMU would be their first choice. And I'm sure JJ told Steve O that if they get to 6 wins SMU is going to Hawaii.

Again, I'll be rejoicing if we're invited to any bowl and will especially be happy about the Hawaii Bowl connection if that's our only invite. But hypothetically, what if a bowl like Armed Forces came calling and it offered a bigger payday and a much better chance of SMU fans actually getting to attend the game? Are we (JJ in particular) locked into the Hawaii Bowl no matter what? Or would JJ do what's best for SMU and accept that bid if it made more sense for SMU?
One last time - purely hypothetical and I'll be ecstatic with any bowl IF SMU can get it done on the field!

[hawaiisashimi_smu]

Just my 2 cents on Hawaii fans and JJ leaving for SMU. It comes down to love and loyalty. Hawaii took JJ to heart. He played college ball at UH. He got his first coaching job from UH. He became a Mouse Davis deciple. His NFL career is well known but he did the unthinkable and at the height of his NFL coaching career. He turned down millions of dollars to be the head coach of the San Diego Chargers and instead moved to the University of Hawaii to become our head coach. Impressive. Especially for Hawaii people. He said it was his dream job and always wanted to coach Hawaii the rest of his life. Obviously, he proved to us that he was not about money and about his love for Hawaii and its people. This at a time when there was talk about having Hawaii go to Division II football.

So he makes the biggest turnaround in NCAA history and put Hawaii on the national football map. The next year he almost dies in a car accident. It tore his aorta and he should have died but it was another miracle. Like God was saying it wasn't JJ's time. The whole State of Hawaii took JJ to heart.

To live in Hawaii, especially the local people who have lived here for generations, you have to make sacrifices. The standard of living is high. An average house cost $550,000. You pay more and get less. Life is very simple. Local people work so they can live the Hawaiian life style. T-shirt, shorts, slippers, beach, and party. And football! So when JJ took the pay cut and said he would not trade it for anything, most locals felt he became a true "Son of Hawaii." He captured the hearts of the people of Hawaii. It went beyond just football. After the Sugar Bowl game it was always understood that JJ would be here forever and the dream would continue.

So it was a shock to findout at the last minute that JJ took the money and ran to SMU. It hurt local people more than most. It hurt in the heart. It came out of the blue. I blame athletic director Herman Fraiser more than anything but I also think JJ burned himself out too. He gave more than a 1000%. SMU came calling and the rest is history. The fact is that I do not blame JJ. He did more for Hawaii football than anybody. He deserved the money and the SMU job. I would like to see anyone take a team to a BCS Bowl on a $10,000 recruiting budget, 3000 miles from the west coast. Most of his recruiting was on the internet and word of mouth.

He brought national recognition to the State of Hawaii. JJ earned and deserves everything he has gotten. He will do the same for SMU. Some locals just don't want to talk about it. It hurts too much. They thought with JJ, it would be different.

Go JJ! Go Mustangs! LIVE THE DREAM!!!

[huskerpony]

All totally understandable. Also why I question whether or not all these people are going to buy tickets to come watch him coach another team. And don't get any of us wrong--we will be ecstatic with the Hawaii bowl if we are lucky enough to get there. (maybe a tiny bit bitter that many of us won't be able to make the game after all these years of waiting for a bowl, but I'll take whatever we can get) Glad we do have some support from the UH crowd. I know I have been following UH a lot closer the last few years.

[Treadway21]

It would be fitting to go back to Hawaii since the last time we played in a bowl was in Hawaii, the Aloha Bowl. I didn't get to go to that one either, but enjoyed beating ND none the less.

JJ has had this scenario as a goal the entire season. I am hopeful that we exceed the goal, but it will be astounding to at least meet 6-6 and the Hawaii Bowl goal, especially after the WSU debacle.

[WAC_FAN]

Give us back our coach!!!!!

I don't think any animosity is directed towards SMU, it's bitterness towards JJ for leaving.

Doesn't the Hawaii Bowl get 2nd pick of CUSA this year? If so, they're picking you guys. If the game turns out to be SMU vs. Fresno State (which is what the bowl wants), I have no idea who the locals will cheer for. The coach who abandoned us vs. the one conference mate we legitimately hate. That said, if we keep losing, there will be a lot of "Come back JJ!" signs as well.

[Garret]

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=219&f=1136&t=5075165&p=3

Here are what some Hawaii fans have posted:

From football25 (I wonder if any SMU fans noticed somebody at the game tonight wearing UH clothing):

OK, so I broke down and went to this game since I live in Texas. Wore my UH stuff of course. Soon after I got by Gerald Ford Stadium, I hear "Go Warriors!" Get plenty of Hawai'i people whose curiosity got the better of them and wanted to see Coach Jones. Afterwards, I ran into Coach Reinbold and you should have seen the look on his face when he saw my UH gear. They miss Hawai'i very much so!

From kshakak:

I attended the SMU vs WSU game since I am in Pullman. Spoke with June and Jeff for awhile. June remembered the research I was working on despite being about 4 years removed.Sent regards to my family. Jeff misses Hawaii aswell. Lots of aloha from those guys. Adrian is still soft spoken despite being a beast. McKnight is still high strung

[MrMustang1965]

While I was there, on several occasions, I brought up the SMU/June Jones thing with some of the locals (shop owners, waiters, bartenders).

Maybe you were just hanging out in the wrong places.