UH coach June Jones said ESPN will send a crew to Hawai'i early next month, and NFL Films will follow the Warriors from the end of training camp through the season-opening game against two-time defending national champion Southern California.

NFL Films is expected to focus on the relationship between Jones and new UH defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville. Both were NFL head coaches.

"NFL Films likes Jerry, and they've done a lot of things for me, too," said Jones, who attended the Western Athletic Conference Football Media Preview in the Reno Hilton. "Jerry is very well known. Wherever he goes, people know him. When you're on TV as much as he was the last 12, 15 years, everybody knows him."

Glanville was head coach of the Atlanta Falcons and Houston Oilers. He spent the past decade racing in the NASCAR series and serving as a football analyst for Fox, HBO, CBS and The Football Network.

Hiring Glanville in March, Jones said, "created a lot of interest from around the country. It brought a lot of interest to the program and the state."

Meanwhile, in addressing the media yesterday, Jones acknowledged the Warriors would not be at full strength entering the Aug. 4 start of training camp. Jones said defensive end Melila Purcell III is recovering from a neck injury, inside linebacker Ikaika Curnan has not fully recovered from an ankle injury, and offensive lineman Samson Satele "won't be 100 percent but he'll be able to play" after undergoing offseason surgery on his right shoulder.

Jones said he was told Satele's injury has not prevented him from shotgun snapping. Satele, a guard, might move to center this season.

Jones said about eight players did not participate in spring practice because of injuries.

"I'm worried about the injuries because I don't think some of the kids have worked as hard to rehab," he said. "I haven't seen (defensive tackle) Fale Laeli all summer, and I'm counting on him to be a starter. If he doesn't report in shape, he won't be with us."

TOO GOOD TO PASS UP

During a reception Wednesday night, Jones and New Mexico State coach Hal Mumme — both advocates of wide-open passing attacks — concocted a plan in which neither of their teams would call a running play during their Oct. 15 game at Aloha Stadium.

"It's not inconceivable that it could happen," Jones said. "Even though we were having fun with (the idea), I could see it happening. He wouldn't be offended, and I wouldn't be offended. If it were going to happen, it might happen that game. It might be a five-hour game, maybe longer."

Jones told Mumme how the Warriors called 63 consecutive pass plays in a game against Tulsa two years ago.

Mumme recalled that when he was coaching at Valdosta State, his team threw on 86 of the 99 plays against Harding College.

"They had an All-American linebacker who kept tackling our fullback," Mumme said. "After three or four runs, our fullback came to the sideline and said, 'Coach, don't call those draw plays anymore. I can catch the ball on him all night.' Most of the 13 runs were early in the game. After we figured it out, we didn't run the rest of the way."

Although Jones and Mumme reached a handshake agreement, Mumme said, "We're both competitive as hell. No matter what we say, we'll end up doing whatever we've got to do to win the game. If we have to have a fire drill, we'll do that."

WARRIORS STILL NO. 3

Maybe football coaches and the reporters who cover them aren't so different.

The Warriors were picked to finish third in the WAC this season in polling of league coaches. The media poll also had the Warriors at No. 3.

Each coach could not vote for his team. Boise State and Fresno State were tied for first in the coaches' poll but finished 1-2 in the media poll.

Although the coaches trumpeted Boise State, Fresno State and Hawai'i as top-tier teams, it is clear the league's deed is in Boise State's name. The Broncos have not lost a WAC game since 2001.

"I think Boise has been the class of the league," San Jose State coach Dick Tomey said. "Boise has been a team that's excelled in every area. ... I don't think you can compare Boise to anybody."

Although Fresno State has played well against highly regarded non-conference opponents, it has yet to solve the riddle of the Broncos. Asked if Boise State is in his team's head, FSU coach Pat Hill said, "It is. I hear it every day. I think it's good it's in their head. Would it be in your head if you lost four in a row?"

PACK PACKING 'PISTOL'

After Nevada went 5-7 last season, head coach Chris Ault reconfigured the defensive formations and worked to improve the team's speed. Last year, Ault said, "we had guys who would drown in a car wash."

The biggest change was the creation of the "pistol" formation, what Ault described as a "hybrid of the shotgun."

In the shotgun formation, the quarterback is aligned 5 yards behind the center, with the running back positioned on the side. In the pistol, the quarterback's heels are 4 yards behind the center, and the running back is aligned right behind, in an I formation.

Ault said the tactic gives the running back a headstart and affords the quarterback a better view of the defense.

Ault said the pistol is here to stay with the Wolf Pack.

"We won't run it one game and go back," he said. "I'm convinced this will be pretty good."