Jones, who in nine years at Hawaii transformed college football's doormat to a big bowl contender, agreed today to a 5-year deal to coach at SMU.

Everyone from football fans to the governor greeted the news with shock and sadness that Jones was leaving. Many are also angry and blame the departure on athletics director Herman Frazier, who apparently waited until the last days to get into serious contract negotiations with Jones.

"Was the ball dropped? Definitely. Is director Frazier to blame? I believe so," said Rep. K. Mark Takai, who led a legislative briefing in May regarding problems with the athletics program. "I don't think that the athletics program can function now with Frazier at the helm. Changes are going to have to be made."

Those changes may come soon.

University of Hawaii President David McClain has scheduled a news conference on the coaching vacancy and Frazier's future. Frazier was unavailable for comment.

McClain and Gov. Linda Lingle made last-minute pitches to keep Jones in Hawaii, where he compiled a 76-41 record, including 4-2 in bowl games. Jones led the Warriors to an unbeaten regular season and a berth in the Sugar Bowl, where Hawaii was defeated by Georgia 41-10 on Jan. 1.

The game was supposed to be a major step for the program and a catalyst for change, especially in the poor facilities at Hawaii, which was one of the reasons Jones left. Jones also will be getting a major salary increase, more than doubling his $800,000 annual base salary at Hawaii.

Now, with signing day nearing, Jones is packing up for Texas, along with his passing play book and most of his assistants.

Don Murphy, a close friend of Jones and past president of the Na Koa football booster club, spoke to the coach hours before the announcement.

"It tore him apart," Murphy said. "That's what we have to look at. Why would somebody leave when he loves it here so much? He struggled with this thing for a long time. You can't blame him."

Murphy said the coach was excited about the new challenge about taking over a team that finished 1-11. Hawaii had lost 18 straight when Jones took over in 1999.

"He said it's very similar to Hawaii when he got here, but the facilities are better in Texas," Murphy said. "If he needs to get knee braces for his offensive line, it won't take six months and he won't have to go through the procurement process."

Jones had repeatedly expressed his frustrations over the facilities at Hawaii. He also complained, in a recent letter to friends, about the last-minute push by the school, spurred by the interest by Southern Methodist University in Texas.

Murphy said Jones' departure is a great loss for the school and the community.

"He's put us on the map, football wise. Nine years ago, people were laughing at us. We were 0-12 and a joke," he said. "Now, we're BCS."

In May, state legislator Takai questioned Frazier, shortly after quarterback Colt Brennan complained to reporters about substandard athletic facilities, in addition to the lack of resources.

Frazier had also been under fire for not being able to complete the 2007 football schedule and the handling men's basketball coach Riley Wallace's departure after 20 years with the team.

Takai asked Frazier about the coach's contract. Frazier responded that he was working on a proposal and committed to rehiring Jones.

"I'm terribly disappointed," Takai said Monday. "All of this could have been avoided."

Takai also wrote a letter Jan. 2 to school leaders, urging them to get involved with negotiations.

In an interview with the AP on Nov. 27, Frazier said he had discussed an extension with Jones' agent and hopes to have a deal before the contract expires in June.

"We have the parameters we are working within and that's all we'll say at this point," Frazier said then.

The governor thanked Jones for his accomplishments and for the pride and national recognition he brought to the university and the state. The governor said Jones did more than turn around a program.