In what could be its most significant — and fortunate — head coaching hire, UH lured June Jones away from a multi-million dollar contract with the San Diego Chargers to take over a floundering program that had lost 18 games in a row and had some wondering if its days in Division I were numbered.

How did it happen?

"I think (June Jones') heart wasn't (in San Diego), I think it was in Hawai'i," Dean Spanos, Chargers president, said at the time.

In a year's time, Jones, behind his a run-and-shoot offense, led UH to a 9-5 record, a win in the O'ahu Bowl, and set a record for the greatest turnaround in NCAA history.

But he was more than a coach. He was a visionary.

Jones incorporated black as part of the team's colors and encouraged the school to rebrand itself by changing its nickname from Rainbow Warriors or Rainbows to Warriors, and then creating a new "H" logo for sports teams. Almost every change he made — from practice time to travel — Jones had a purpose in mind.

He also envisioned UH as a top-25 team, which his team accomplished three times during his tenure (2002, '06, '07).

Jones would guide UH to its only Bowl Championship Series appearance in the New Year's Day 2008 Sugar Bowl.

He left UH with the most victories (76) of any UH coach. His winning percentage of .634 (76-41) ranks second to only Dave Holmes (.722) of UH coaches with more than one season.

"I wanted to create a tradition of winning," Jones said. "I think the university had some successful football coaches. Some won, some didn't. I wanted a program of consistent winning."