KAHALA — Warrior fever raged anew yesterday at Kahala Mall as eight University of Hawai'i football players signed autographs for about three hours for thousands of fans.

It was a bittersweet day for many fans who were willing to pony up $20 for Colt Brennan's signature. Others paid $5 for a signature of Jason Rivers, Michael Lafaele, Hercules Satele, C.J. Hawthorne, Ryan Keomaka, Amani Purcell and Karl Noa. They knew that yesterday was the day that June Jones, who has been the UH head coach since 1999, would likely announce if he were taking a job at Southern Methodist University.

Some people showed up as early as 4 a.m.

Mall security estimated that the players drew more than 2,000 people to the most recent of four events scheduled by Na Koa, the UH football booster club. The signing event was organized by Kent Untermann, a former UH football player and president of Pictures Plus.

The threat of Jones' imminent departure was on the minds of most fans yesterday. "They're asking what can they do," Untermann said. "Can they send money? Can they send an e-mail?"

The crowd sentiment was overwhelmingly in favor of Jones and critical of athletics director Herman Frazier, he said.

Young and old, fans were unanimous in their belief that Jones was the driving force in the Warriors' 12-0 record, which led to UH's first appearance in the Bowl Championship Series. In a state that cherishes its college sports, more than 15,000 fans traveled to New Orleans to watch the Warriors play at the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day, where UH was defeated 41-10 by the Georgia Bulldogs.

"I don't blame June Jones for leaving," said Layton Pang, as he looked at the autographs he had just obtained. "It's poor planning on UH's part. The UH administration should have done something last season, instead of waiting until now."

After 2 1/2 hours of standing outside the mall in a line that went from the centerstage area, past the movie theaters, outside all the way to Longs Drugs, Zach Mendonsa, a sixth-grader from Kahala, credited Jones with having led the Warriors to their dream season.

"He did a lot of good things for the school," Mendonsa said. "The school isn't supporting him."

Still, nothing could dampen the excitement of the people there to meet the players. When Brennan arrived, fans yelled and screamed, holding cell phones and digital cameras overhead.

Lauren Akase, her 1 1/2-year-old son and her boyfriend were the first to arrive at 4 a.m. They waited for two hours for the mall's doors to open and then another five hours for the players. But they were first in line.

"I have to be here," Akase said. "This team made history. I don't feel bad that June Jones is leaving. I understand. If UH won't provide for him, then he has to do what he has to do."

Jodi Sumikawa, who had arrived at 5 a.m., was off to eat lunch while clutching her signed picture of Brennan yesterday afternoon.

"It was worth it," Sumikawa said. "I will put this up in my son's room."

Season ticket holder Ronald Kop said he was there to capture a piece of Hawai'i history. He was worried about how the team would do next year.

"I don't blame June Jones," said Kop, a Kaimuki resident. "He has a legitimate gripe against UH. They haven't supported him or the program."

Makiki resident Richelle Kane said: "If only UH would step up to the plate and offer Jones the money and facilities. He already has the support of the people. If he does leave, I want him to know that he has our warmest and biggest mahalo."

As things wound up, Untermann said the event was such a success that sponsors were considering holding more of them soon, including events on the Neighbor Islands.

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.