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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Friday, April 1, 2005

Lumpkin takes one for team

 •  UH may still hire line coach

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Lost in the University of Hawai'i football team's celebrated hiring of Jerry Glanville as defensive coordinator was the reassignment of George Lumpkin.

George Lumpkin, who has spent 32 years at UH, was reassigned to make room for new defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville. "I think (he) has a bunch of knowledge we can all benefit from," Lumpkin says.

Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

With his usual low-key style, Lumpkin did not complain about yielding control of a defensive unit that ranked 116th out of 117 NCAA Division I-A teams in the yards-allowed category known as "total defense."

"Whatever's best for the team," said Lumpkin, who will retain the title of associate head coach but oversee only the outside linebackers. "I think Glanville has a bunch of knowledge we can all benefit from. The positive thing is to do what's best for the team."

It was apparent there needed to be changes to a defense that ranked 117th in stopping the run and 112th in average points allowed per game.

Before turning to Glanville — head coach of the Houston Oilers and then the Atlanta Falcons, and a member of two halls of fame — UH coach June Jones approached Lumpkin.

Lumpkin, 55, has spent 32 years at UH as a player and coach — the second-longest tenure in the athletic department, behind secretary Margie Okimoto's 37 years.

"George and I talked about it," Jones said. "He's a team guy, and he saw the advantage of getting (Glanville). He was, 'Wow, we can get this guy? Shoot, I'll do whatever.' That's George's attitude, and that's what I expect from everybody."

Lumpkin said he did not feel there was a need for a change, but "anytime you can get someone who has a lot of knowledge, who has been in the game for a long time ... you want to do that. ... My job is to learn as much as I can about the game I love. If somebody can teach me more, then I'm here to learn."

Lumpkin was coaching the linebackers before he was named to succeed defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa, who resigned in February 2003 to become the defensive backs coach at Boston College. As defensive coordinator, Lumpkin was mostly responsible for coordinating the run coverage.

When Jones "came to me (in 2003), I felt I could do the job," Lumpkin said. "I still feel I can do the job."

Lumpkin said his feelings are not hurt by the reassignment.

"As long as you have confidence you can do the job, you're fine," he said. "I always had confidence I could do the job that needs to be done. As long as you have that, you don't have to stoop to what people think you should stoop to, like feeling hurt or that type of thing."

He added: "The best thing to do is do what's best for the organization. You don't want to be selfish."

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