History Lesson: June Jones at Hawaii and Here

[ponyboy]

Let's compare June June's conference records and winning percentages at Hawaii and here.

1. Note that I've omitted his first years at Hawaii and SMU. 2. And I assumed we'd win one of the last two games this year.

CONFERENCE WON/LOSS RECORD
year two Hawaii 2-6 25%
year three Hawaii 5-3 63%
year four Hawaii 7-1 88%
year five Hawaii 5-3 63%
year six Hawaii 4-4 50%
year seven Hawaii 4-4 50%
year eight Hawaii 7-1 88%
year nine Hawaii 8-0 100%

year two SMU 6-2 75%
year three SMU 6-2 75%
year four SMU 5-3 63%


So at Hawaii we saw improvement from years two through four, a significant dropoff for three years, and then back up to the 7-1 conference record and then the undefeated season.

In what way, if any, does that change your expectations? After that horrid, cleaning house, first year we are better than June's Hawaii years in years two through four by three full wins.

[AustinPerson]

I think a lot of people are frustrated because the Hawaii teams put up some big points. The offenses were consistent. We have had very few big offensive games under Coach Jones. Yes, there have been a lot of points against teams like Tulane. But we have only seen a couple of "lights out" passing performances. That concerns a lot of people.

[ponyboy]

This offense hinges on decision making and accuracy in the quarterback position. Padron showed flashes but was in the end just too raw. McDermott is not the answer. He's our Danny White. I believe we'll really pick back up next year with Padron and then we'll never look back for QB options after that.

[1983 Cotton Bowl]

Agree with Ponyboy. McD is just a stopgap. I'm hopeful that a year out of the spotlight will benefit Padron. He's got the physical tools that McD simply does not have. Then, after next year, you bring in Gilbert and Printz, and you've got Kaiser and Preston who have been in the system for a few years. I think we're trending the right way long-term at the QB position.

[ponyboy]

The other thing that has clouded the waters here are the surprise abilities of McNeal and Line. You don't just ignore what you've had there. Even if the result has been less total points, we've kept the other team's offense off the field more than we might have with quick shot points through the air.

Running more and shooting less than the normal June Jones run and shoot prescription.

[1983 Cotton Bowl]

I expect improvement at the QB position to correspond to improvement on the O-line as well. That will help.

[SMUer]

So the lesson is...it's okay, were are supposed to be mediocre in conference play, in fact it's great that we are already mediocre because that means an undefeated season is only a couple years away?

OR more likely is that June got Colt Brennan in 2005 who learned his offense and improved every year from 2005-on. In 2000 June started true freshman Timmy Chang who sat out 2001 with injury, had a breakout year in 2002 and okay years in 2003-4. It really is a story of the quarterbacks he has had not a story about the natural progression of the run and shoot installation. June needs a Colt.

[ponyboy]

Right. You have to have the QB to do this. I believe we do in either Padron, Preston, Kaiser, Gilbert or Printz. Not in McDermott.

[AusTxPony]

I have to agree that not having "that special" QB is the biggest problem. Having said that I'd like to see more of the "wild mustang" against Houston.

[GiddyUp]

You just can't compare the two, sorry. Really doesn't tell you anything at all. Different teams, different conferences, different players.

I love Zach Line but he's not a home run hitter like McNeal was. We need a back who touches the ball and runs for a TD.

[redpony]

Maybe, just maybe we will see a number of different things.

GO PONIES!!!

[ponyboy]

I love Zach Line but he's not a home run hitter like McNeal was. We need a back who touches the ball and runs for a TD.

Why? So we can get the other team the ball more quickly? Zach Line has been superior to Shawbrey in every statistical category including YPC. No, he's not lateral and, no, he doesn't have the same breakaway capability. But give me Line all day over McNeal. All day.