Glanville takes Portland State job
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Despite his refusal to wear "flowered" shirts, Jerry Glanville said he "was happy in Hawai'i," and thanked "every person on the island."
DON RYAN | Associated Press
A successful — if not entertaining — chapter in University of Hawai'i football history came to an end yesterday when defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville accepted the head coaching job at Portland State.
Following a 12-year hiatus from coaching, Glanville arrived on the Manoa campus two years ago with a colorful legacy of dressing in all black except for a white cowboy hat, leaving game tickets for Elvis and transforming defenders into heat-seeking hitters.
At UH, he called players by their jersey numbers, refused to wear "flowered" shirts, and poked verbal jabs at the administrators. During one post-game conference, he said: "I'm the second-most overpaid UH employee behind the athletic director."
But that was all part of his wink-wink schtick, masking his deep love of the program and his commitment to transforming the defense in scheme and attitude.
"Those late nights in the office, I got to peek inside the individual," said defensive line coach Jeff Reinebold, the likely successor to Glanville. "I didn't see the guy who dressed in black or left tickets for Elvis or built the 'House of Pain.' I saw the person, not the persona. I saw a good guy who really cares about people a lot more than maybe he wants you to think he does."
Safety Jake Patek said: "He made us better players. He had a short stint here, but he left an impact."
Head coach June Jones said his passion for football was rekindled because of Glanville's enthusiasm.
"He made football fun," Jones said. "The last two years were pretty awesome."
Until Tuesday, Jones believed Glanville would return to UH for a third season, even though Glanville was asked to interview in person for the PSU job. Tim Walsh resigned two weeks ago to accept the offensive coordinator's job at the U.S. Military Academy.
Glanville and his wife, Brenda, arrived in Portland Sunday. They were expected to stay through Tuesday, but the visit was extended until yesterday, and then through today.
"I knew the longer he stayed up there, the greater the chances he would take it," Jones said.
PSU originally intended to offer a two-year contract to the next head coach. The annual salary of $120,000 would be paid jointly by PSU and local supporters.
"Basically, everything he went up there and asked for, they gave him," Jones said. "They're committed to developing their football program."
PSU offered a four-year contract at an undisclosed higher salary, increased the annual recruiting budget to $150,000 (from $46,000) and pledged to spend $11 million to renovate the locker room, meeting rooms and offices.
Glanville was offered the job Tuesday night. Yesterday morning, he called Jones.
"Give me a reason I shouldn't take it," Glanville said.
Jones answered: "You don't like fishing and hunting."
Jones then gave his blessing.
"June is the best," Glanville said. "If he would have given me a reason, I would have been on the plane to Honolulu. I was happy in Hawai'i. I never woke up one day in Hawai'i wanting to be a head coach. I love Hawai'i."
At lunch yesterday, Glanville and PSU officials wrote the contract on the restaurant's paper table cloths. "We ripped the table cloth, and each of us got a half," Glanville said. "It's not a matter of legality. It's a matter of this is what we're going to do."
UH assistant coach Mouse Davis is expected to join PSU as offensive coordinator. Davis' run-and-shoot offense helped the Vikings set national records in the 1970s and 1980s. But Davis and Glanville won't meet until after Glanville interviews the current PSU coaches Monday.
"I can't say what will happen until I talk to Jerry officially," Davis said.
Glanville said he will go back to his home in Georgia, then return Sunday. Glanville and his wife will move to Portland.
"There's sadness because I won't get to tell (the UH) players goodbye in person," Glanville said. "Brenda and I want to thank every person on the island. Every person we met has treated us tremendously. It's really tough to leave the players, and it's tough to leave June. He's a good person."
One thing will ease his departure. "At least Portland State has a schedule," Glanville said.
Reach Stephen Tsai at
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