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Hawaii believes June Jones had 'zero integrity' in current coaching search

Matthew Stockman / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Hawaii spokesperson Dan Meisenzahl had some scathing comments about June Jones and his pursuit to fill the program's head coaching vacancy.

"It's about integrity, and Jones showed zero integrity for this process," Meisenzahl told reporters Saturday.

Hawaii athletic director David Matlin and Jones met Friday to negotiate a deal for the former coach to return to the program. Meisenzahl said Jones walked out of the meeting after 30 minutes.

Jones, Hawaii's winningest head coach, took to Twitter on Friday to explain why he rejected the terms of the offer, which was reportedly a two-year deal and allowed the school to pick his coaching staff.

Jones left Hawaii for SMU in 2008 on poor terms, citing the school's failure to invest in its facilities and football program for his reasons for leaving.

"Though there are record successes on the field, there were also concerns with (Jones') priorities and student-athletes and acting as a de facto athletic director and chancellor," said Meisenzahl.

"He often demonstrated little interest in being accountable to his supervisor."

Jones coached the Warriors from 1999-2007, amassing a 76-41 record and leading them to six bowl appearances.

"When he left for greener pastures, which is no fault to him, he fought UH on his buyout for nearly a year," said Meisenzahl.

"UH and the state pulled out all the stops to keep him in Hawaii, and he blamed it on UH and broken promises and said that leaving was the only way he could send a message."

Meisenzahl also criticized Jones for publicly lobbying for the head coaching job before Todd Graham resigned from the position on Jan. 14.

"The job is still open," Meisenzahl said. "Time is of the essence right now. We're moving forward, but the job has not been filled yet."

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