Jones' job offer in '03 lifted Price's spirits

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Texas-El Paso football coach Mike Price said he is grateful for the job offer extended by Hawai'i coach June Jones last year.

Price

Last December, Jones called Price, offering him a job on the Warriors' 2004 coaching staff. Eight days later, Price instead accepted the UTEP job.

"I really appreciate what Coach Jones did," said Price, whose team hosts UH Saturday in the Sun Bowl. "It certainly made me feel wonderful. It came at a time when I was struggling a little bit with myself and thinking: 'Am I going to get a (coaching) job again?' ... He didn't have to do that. It upped my spirits at a time when I was kind of low. I'll never forget that."

Although they honed their coaching skills in the Northwest, "it's not like we're buddies or close friends," Price said. "But we are associates and we do respect one another. And I like him. I like his style. He does things differently, but that's what I like about him."

Price filed a lawsuit against Sports Illustrated regarding the story about his Alabama dismissal.

"I found out one thing: the legal system is not fast," Price said. "It's slow, but it's going to be just and it's going to be right and the truth is going to come out."

He said a trial won't begin until next year. In the meantime, he said: "I learned how many friends I have and how nice people can be. I had a lot of wonderful people call me and support me, like Coach Jones. It made me feel great in my time of need."

Welch was wooed by Wazzu in high school

As Washington State's head coach in January 2000, Price heavily recruited UH slotback Gerald Welch. Price visited Welch's home and attended one of his Saint Louis School wrestling matches.

"I thought Coach Price and his son were two nice guys," Welch said. "You can't get any nicer than them."

But Welch had verbally committed to UH before accepting a recruiting trip to Washington State.

"They did a good job of recruiting me," Welch said. "I had second thoughts (about UH), but I knew I would be better off here. This is where I wanted to be after I graduated from college. It's better to stay here for the future."

Price said he also recruited UH wide receiver Jason Rivers.

For Moenoa, the glory was in winning game

Proving he is no Paul Hamm — the Olympic gymnast who declined to relinquish his gold medal in a scoring-system controversy — UH offensive lineman Uriah Moenoa said he would have no problem giving up the touchdown he was awarded in a 48-26 victory over Nevada.

Teammate Michael Brewster caught a shovel pass and then apparently dived into the end zone before fumbling. The official did not signal for a touchdown until after Moenoa recovered the ball, an indication that Brewster was ruled to have fumbled. In accordance with the NCAA rules, the head statistician credited Tim Chang with a scoring pass, Brewster with a 23-yard reception (the distance from the line of scrimmage to the goal line) and Moenoa with zero catches for one touchdown.

"If you watch the tape, I thought Brew had crossed the line," Moenoa said. "I thought it was his (touchdown) the whole time."

He added: "I'm glad we got the points and didn't turn the ball over. I'd rather win the game than get a touchdown for myself. (The touchdown) doesn't matter to me."

Moenoa said his team's demonstrative celebration made it impossible for him to perform a touchdown dance.

"People were punching me in the stomach and the helmet," he said. "It was like, oh, man, I can't breathe. But I danced in the locker room afterward."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.