Jerry Glanville @ Hawaii

[Tech XXIX]

Isn't amazing that football coaches just love to coach football. People who coach football for a job complain all the time about what they don't have, why they can't be successful, how they need new things to be competitive. Glanville believes the same thing Joe Raymond did, the game is about blocking and tackling, expecting the unexpected, and having fun.

A rebel with a cause: rebuilding UH defense
By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Columnist


Like the people — Elvis Presley, James Dean, Buddy Holly and D.B. Cooper, etc. — he has been known to leave tickets for at stadium will-call windows across the NFL, Jerry Glanville yesterday maintained, "Officially, I'm really not here, you know."

Unofficially, of course, the man under the white straw 10-gallon hat and behind titanium sunglasses was everywhere at the opening of the University of Hawai'i's spring football practice. After two seasons of defense by committee, there was no mistaking who is in charge now or the urgency of the mission.

The new defensive coordinator was hands on from the time the sun peeked over the dormitories, striding with urgency among groups of players, patting helmets, tugging at jerseys, dropping into a three-point stance and coaching the coaches.

The press conference to announce his "official" hiring can come later. Damn the paper work, the return to respectability for a defense that ranked among the nation's worst in 2004 can't wait. And, Glanville wasn't wasting a moment.

The most high-profile assistant coach UH has ever had knows it isn't the one-liners or old war stories that he was brought here for. June Jones isn't looking for another golfing buddy; he needs help. Immediately.

"I've never gone anywhere where they have said, 'Hey, we have a great team, how 'bout coming over,' " Glanville said. "No one has ever said that to me. Somebody said, when I went to Houston, 'They're the worst team in the league, why do you want to go to Houston?' When I went to Atlanta, they said, 'Why would you go to Atlanta? They're one of the worst in the league.' So, wherever I go has been bad. The good places; they probably don't think I could coach there."

Which is why the Warriors have suddenly become Jerry's Kids. Last year a once-proud defense fell to historic lows — most points (38.4), most total yards (487.7) and most rushing yards (252.6) per game — depths not even plumbed in the Fred von Appen error.

With a schedule that includes Southern California, Michigan State and Wisconsin, the Warriors can no longer afford to play with one hand tied behind their backs. Not with a new quarterback and supporting cast, too.

The 63-year-old man in black, who has been wearing it almost as long as Johnny Cash did, shares more than Jones' choice of wardrobe. There is also the contempt for convention, which is why they have gotten along so well. Hard to believe, but at one time, Jones was considered the more grounded of the two.

"June was Dr. Jekyll to Glanville's Mr. Hyde, the calm voice of reason to Jerry's craziness," said John McClain, who covered their antics for the Houston Chronicle in the 1980s.

Glanville has been known to put his players in combat helmets at practice and stage practical jokes, anything to inspire a defense or instill an attitude. As he was wont to say as an NFL television analyst, "Sometimes you gotta run faster than you really are."

But combat helmets? "We'll fly by the seat of our pants," Jones said. "So, it'll probably show up at some point."

For now, defensive lineman Ikaika Alama-Francis said: "You hear all the stories, but I'm just excited that he is here."

Unofficially, of course. Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044

[Tech XXIX]

And one more! I can't wait until football season. Hal Mumme on the first home game and Jerry Glanville on the second. If we can't sale our coach then lets sale theirs!

Warriors open practice under Glanville's watch
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer


If Jerry Glanville walks like a defensive coordinator and talks like a defensive coordinator, he must be ...

Jerry Glanville, left, offered pointers yesterday, but remains "an observer" at spring practice until Hawai'i officially completes the hiring process. Photos by Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

"... An observer," University of Hawai'i coach June Jones said of the former NFL head coach who attended yesterday's opening of spring practice at the school's grass practice field.

Officially, Glanville is a candidate to become the Warriors' new associate coach. The wildcard position would allow the associate coach to also serve as defensive coordinator.

But school policy prohibits Jones or athletic director Herman Frazier from filling the advertised position until at least the end of the week.

The deadline to submit an application was this past Monday. Because the school is required to accept applications postmarked before the deadline, the "normal practice is to wait a few days after the closing date," said Jim Manke, the assistant to the chancellor at the Manoa campus.

Glanville certainly filled the role of defensive coordinator yesterday, offering tips to the defensive assistant coaches and tutoring the players.

Three UH employees have said Glanville has been assigned the office previously occupied by Mike Cavanaugh, who resigned as offensive line coach earlier this month to accept a similar job at Oregon State.

UH receiver Chad Mock, a 2002 Farrington High graduate, latches on to a pass during spring drills.But Jones said Glanville was as involved as the other "observers." Ken Taylor, a Florida high school coach whose son Rick will join the Warriors next season, and Farrington High School athletic director Harold Tanaka also participated in practice yesterday.

"He's still observing," Jones said of Glanville.

"Hawai'i?" said Glanville, when asked about his impression of the university. "Is that where I'm at? I thought I was in Aberdeen, South Dakota."

Jones has served two stints under Glanville in the NFL, as the Houston Oilers' quarterbacks coach in 1987 and 1988, and as the Atlanta Falcons' assistant head coach from 1991 to 1993. Jones succeeded Glanville as the Falcons' head coach in 1994.

Ex-NFL coach Jerry Glanville got involved with University of Hawai'i football players at spring practice yesterday as an "observer."Asked why he applied for the UH job, Glanville said, "I just figured ... June saved me twice. He coached for me twice, and I owe him one. I'm not here to save him, but I'm here to help if I can."

As an NFL head coach in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Glanville was a lively character who used to leave game tickets for Elvis Presley, who died in 1977.

If he were hired at UH, Glanville said he would not leave tickets for The King. Asked if that meant he now believes Elvis has left the metaphoric building, Glanville said, "I wouldn't say that, would you?" "You guys will have a fun year," Jones told a reporter. "If the 'observer' stays around, you'll have a fun year."

[KSDAWG]

I really can't wait for football season