Cinderella Story Ends for Hawaii; June Jones Takes SMU Head Coaching Job

The University of Hawaii was in the midst of a Cinderella season when the clock struck midnight at this year's Sugar Bowl. Following a 12-0 start, the Warrior's perfect season vanished beneath the fury and speed of the Georgia Bulldog's defense.

Unfortunately for Cinderella, there may not be a "happily ever after," now that head coach June Jones has announced he will be leaving Hawaii and taking over the head coaching job at Southern Methodist University (SMU). In contrast to the Warrior's nearly flawless season, SMU struggle to a 1-11 record this season, leaving Jones with a team to be rebuilt from scratch.

The territory should not be a new one for Jones who took over a dismal program in Hawaii the year after the school posted a 0-12 season in 1999. Hawaii flourished behind the installation of a run-and-shoot offense that yielded over 40 points a game, and Jones directed the school to six post season bowl appearances, winning four of them. Overall, Jones compiled an overall 75-41 record at the University.

Yet frustrated by an Athletic Department that he was often critical of, Jones' days at Hawaii appeared numbered this year, and it should not have come as a total shock to the University to see him resign and take on the SMU job.

For its part SMU came up with an enticing offer which will pay the new head coach $2 million a year for the next five years. Enticing too will be Jones' ability to recruit fresh talent to a school that will not be thousands of miles away from the mainland. Similarities between Jones's offensive tactics and those of the local Texas high schools will provide an added bonus come this years recruiting season.

Though this year's feel good, fairy tale story might have come to an end in Hawaii, it looks like a new one will be beginning at SMU. Rest of sure that if this new story is to have a happy ending, that June Jones will have to have the same magic touch that he showed in Hawaii.