PonyFans.com

Greetings, Pony Fans,

This is my first post on your message board although I've been lurking since the news about Coach Jones first started leaking out. Now that the shock is over, I can honestly say that it is very likely that this will be a great move for all sides. JJ is a great coach, but he does have some idiosyncracies -- who doesn't? -- that sometimes didn't play well in Hawaii. Hopefully, being able to focus on football and letting a competent AD handle the other stuff will ameliorate all of that. No matter what, you guys are in for an exciting ride.

Anyway, I'm kind of interested in your guys' take on this fund raiser that JJ will be participating in. As you can see from the links, a number (majority?) of Hawaii fans wish he wouldn't do this right now so that we can all move on, but what is the reaction in Dallas? Just curious.

http://www.sportshawaii.com/sh/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=24440

http://forums.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=219#s=219&f=1136&t=1954523

My personal take is that JJ should be putting 100% of his time and effort behind SMU. He may mean well but it doesn't look right for the head coach of SMU to continue doing fundraisers for the football team at another institution. When [deleted] Tomey left UH for Arizona, he made a very emotional speech that his heart would always be in Hawaii. Once he was in Arizona though, he dedicated all of his time to the University of Arizona. If he ever went back to Hawaii for visits, he kept a very low profile out of respect for his replacement and both schools. JJ ought to take the same approach as UH has their own new head coach now who is more than capable of being the focal point for their football booster club.

WarriorMojo wrote:Greetings, Pony Fans,

This is my first post on your message board although I've been lurking since the news about Coach Jones first started leaking out. Now that the shock is over, I can honestly say that it is very likely that this will be a great move for all sides. JJ is a great coach, but he does have some idiosyncracies -- who doesn't? -- that sometimes didn't play well in Hawaii. Hopefully, being able to focus on football and letting a competent AD handle the other stuff will ameliorate all of that. No matter what, you guys are in for an exciting ride.

Anyway, I'm kind of interested in your guys' take on this fund raiser that JJ will be participating in. As you can see from the links, a number (majority?) of Hawaii fans wish he wouldn't do this right now so that we can all move on, but what is the reaction in Dallas? Just curious.

http://www.sportshawaii.com/sh/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=24440

http://forums.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=219#s=219&f=1136&t=1954523

Watch out, he's coming to steal recruits!

He is a Hawaii alum, is he not? Y'all haven't taken away his diploma yet have you?

EastStang wrote:He is a Hawaii alum, is he not? Y'all haven't taken away his diploma yet have you?

No, he's not an alum.

Don't doubt it for one second... he is 100% committed to building THIS program, and is well on his way.

He attended Hawaii, but got his degree from Portland State. I guess to coin a Clinton phrase, I guess that depends on your definition of alum.

I really don't care what he does as long as we win. If he can fit this in his spare time, or he needs this to keep a sane head, fine with me.

heh, if he talks to a recruit on this trip, he can submit expense reports to both SMU and the JJ foundation lol.

-CoS

Doesn't bother me one bit, as long as it doesn't take away from his duties at SMU. (Sounds like it falls right between recruiting and spring ball, and I'm sure he needs to go home and pack up some stuff at some point anyway.)

It also sounds like your boosters need all the help they can get, and if JJ can bring in some more dollars for you, that's great for Hawaii.

A couple of weeks ago, I was talking to an ex-NFL player who is pretty involved with the Hula Bowl. He was telling me how attrocious the stadium really is. I have heard all the reports, but I didn't realize how bad off it really is. Also sounds like the Hula Bowl might have seen its last year. I hope they get that all worked out. That would be a travesty in my opinion. I also hope you guys get a new stadium. Your players and fans deserve it.

EastStang wrote:He attended Hawaii, but got his degree from Portland State. I guess to coin a Clinton phrase, I guess that depends on your definition of alum.

"former student", not "alumnus".

And there is a place for those folks, certainly.