Since 1970, Lumpkin has been involved with the UH football program, except for three years in the 1990s, a period many fans have committed to amnesia. Only secretary Margie Okimoto (34 years) and business manager Michael Nagafuchi (32 years) have longer associations with the athletic department.

During Lumpkin's tenure as a player and coach, two of his three children were born, paradise was paved as UH put up two five-story parking structures, and a teammate and close friend — June Jones — became his boss and the highest-paid state employee.

"It's amazing to think of all of the changes," said Lumpkin, who will begin his 31st UH football year with the added role of defensive coordinator. The Warriors open training camp Tuesday.

Lumpkin often will walk onto Cooke Field's artificial surface and realize, "it's in the same place, but everything surrounding it is different."

When he first arrived in Manoa as a defensive back in 1970, Cooke had a grass surface.

"I can remember when it used to flood in the (athletic department) quarry," he said. "The locker room used to be a parking lot. The grass (practice) field used to be filled with weeds and high grass. They used to dump cars and trash over there."

He recalled the wooden lockers were secured with chicken wire.

But one thing has not changed. "I'm proud of the University of Hawai'i," he said.

George Lumpkin's love of Hawai'i and its people has kept him here since his playing days in the early '70s. Advertiser library photo

After then-UH coach Larry Price hired him as a full-time assistant, joining a staff that included future television executive Rick Blangiardi and future NFL head coach Dom Capers, Lumpkin put off plans to relocate.

"I've never regretted it," Lumpkin said. "I love Hawai'i and I love the people."

In December 1995, a few weeks after Bob Wagner was fired as head coach, Lumpkin met with Wagner's successor, Fred vonAppen.

"He said I wouldn't fit in with his (new coaches)," Lumpkin recalled. "I said, 'OK.' I said, 'If there's anything I can do to help, call me. I won't leave the Islands. I've been here too long.' "

Instead, Kamehameha coach Kanani Souza, who also was not retained by vonAppen, offered a job to Lumpkin. At Kamehameha, Lumpkin taught an eighth-grade class and served as the football team's defensive coordinator.

In December 1998, Jones was named as successor to the fired vonAppen. Jones' first job offer went to Lumpkin.

"To tell you the truth, if it hadn't been for June, I might have stayed (at Kamehameha)," Lumpkin said. "I really enjoyed teaching and coaching over there."

As Jones' top assistant, Lumpkin ran the team in the spring of 2001 after Jones was seriously injured in a car accident. In June, Lumpkin was promoted to defensive coordinator.

Lumpkin promises the defense, considered to be the strength of this year's team, will play more aggressively than in recent years.

"I'm looking forward to this," Lumpkin said. "It's good to work with June. He has a lot of great ideas. It will be a good chance to keep learning and growing."