June Jones was in the house Friday night, and it’s possible he might be in that house a lot more next football season.
Jones, the highly successful football coach at the University of Hawaii from 1999 to 2007, was on the sideline not far from the Saint Louis bench during the Crusaders’ 56-30 victory over Mililani in the Division I state semifinals.
He appeared to be enjoying himself, talking to many well-wishers and saying hello to people he hasn’t seen in a long time. He was also overheard giving a report on one of the players on the field.
No, not Crusaders junior quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who he has been working with at Saint Louis practices, and not Trojans senior quarterback McKenzie Milton, who committed to play for Hawaii next season.
Jones was keenly aware of senior receiver Jahvin Spear.
“He’s like Chad Owens,” Jones told a friend. “And I don’t think anyone is recruiting him.”
Owens was an exciting slotback and kick returner for the Warriors who is doing the same kind of stuff with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. He was the CFL’s player of the year in 2012.
It’s possible Spear might get recruited now just because of Jones’ casual words, and, you never know, it might even be by Jones, who is a candidate for the open UH job.
Not to jump too far ahead, but if Jones does get the job, would it be possible that Tagovailoa, who is being recruited by many Division I schools, decides to play here?
Milton and Tagovailoa, both at UH?
Jones watched Tagovailoa throw for 376 yards and three touchdowns and rush for another 58 yards and two TDs.
Sure, Tagovailoa had a much better game than Milton.
But, don’t forget, Jones also watched the sheer quickness and especially speed of Milton, who burned his way for 90 rushing yards. Milton had probably his worst game as a three-year Trojans starter, going 5-for-14 for 82 yards and a touchdown. That was all in one half because he re-injured his shoulder late in the second quarter and sat out the whole second half. That injured right, throwing shoulder kept him out for six weeks before he returned to lead Mililani past Hilo in the opening round of the states a week earlier.
Jones was in the house. He was on the sideline at Aloha Stadium. The only things missing were the headset, the aloha shirt, the playbook that he covers his mouth with when giving his quarterback instructions — and the mustache.
It might be an illusion, but it sure looks like he’s coming back.
I think Milton would make a better slot back with his speed. Weight might be a problem.
Local D1 prospects should run from UH. It’s in shambles for the past 6 years.
No please not another JJ stint, one was good while it lasted but I think most of us want to forget and move onwards not backwards, and my comment has nothing to do with wins/losses because he was good at winning.
Milton should go Navy. He’s a better fit there. Plus, it’s obvious he is not June Jones’ first choice. If I were Milton’s dad, I would consider JJ’s actions to be disrespectful and have my son de-commit.
^^^If JJ gets the job, of course.
@hi808 So if it wasn’t about winning, why not JJ?
We need a quick fix. JJ NOW!
@Kiuga and hi808,…why is that only you guys have insight like you can see that too,..you guys both got smarts to read in between the lines;..for JJ it’s local motion job security and like he wants to be in control which he didn’t have where he last walk off;
yeh too bad like it’s has to be Tua unless he goes to mainland USA and not surprise if he does cause the next level over here is doggie dog and mongeeses here at UH and low man gotta work harder like it’s not a no clutch shoe in?
Eh like what’s with this former SMU HC walk off;…his presence can work against him like we all know who his future picks are and them are not too many like some parents could just get turned off with him favoring just a select few;..he’s still a FA and like FORMER COACH NORM CHOW put it,.”it’s not about me,..it’s them 65 guys sitting in there”..meaning no guarantee with whoever becomes the new HC?
Yeah, be there, that was the place to be last weekend, at the stae high school semifinal football games. Those games blow away UH games by far.
JJ trying to get the old band together? The Lee bros.?
@Manley My thoughts exactly