PSU Magazine Spring 2000

ne-.... • • • as backup for star quarterback Steve Bartkowski. After a brief stint as an assistant coach under Dick Tomey at University of Hawaii, Jones spent the next 14 years in the pros. All plans to enter the family investment business were abandoned. or two years Jones coached wide receivers with the Houston Gamblers in the United States Football League under Jack Pardee. He took his first job as offensive coordinator for the Denver Gold under former college coach Mouse Davis in 1985 before moving to the Canadian Football League where he became an offensive assistant with the Ottawa Roughriders. Finally Jones got his first shot at the National Football League in 1987 with the Houston Oilers. In 1989, he was hired by the Detroit Lions to put in a passing offense. In 1991 Atlanta Falcons' coach Jerry Glanville hired Jones as his offensive coord inator. Three years later, the Falcons named Jones their head coach. His tenure ended in only three seasons, but not before he led them to the NFL playoffs in 1995. Jones has a passion for coaching young men with the hope of impacting their lives in a positive way. But in the past few years the professional game started to sour for him. There was a lack of respect from two malcontent quarterbacks (Jeff George in Atlanta and Ryan Leaf in San Diego) that bothered him. "The pros have changed in the last four or five years," Jones says. "You can't influence those guys anymore in any direction. They pretty much know more than you do." The 1996 year was tough for Jones. He was fired by the Falcons about the same time his wife, Diane, was diag- nosed with cancer. He took a year off while Diane went through treatment. During that period, Jones asse sed his life priorities. The dream to return to Hawaii to finish out his career began to come into focus. In 1998 Jones moved to San Diego to be the quarterback coach of the Chargers. After six games he replaced Kevin Gilbride as the interim head coach. Jones did a credible job and was offered contracts by both the Chargers and the University of Hawaii. The decision to go to Hawaii stunned everyone except his friends. Diane's cancer is now in remission. "She's doing great," says Jones. "She ran the Honolulu Marathon last summer." Today, Portland State University is just as proud of the accomplishments of its distinguished alumnus as it was in 1976 when he was honored as the school's All-American quarterback. Meanwhile, the 2000 Viking football team looks forward to meeting him on the field in September. 0 (Robert Gill is a dentist in Portland and a sports historian. He is author of the self-published book, It's in Their Blood, sketches of 53 Oregon football coaches and their legacies .) Join the Vikings in Honolulu Sept. 6-11. Get in on round-trip airfare, a five-night stay, and fun and educational activi– ties. The Alumni and Athletics offices are planning a tour of Pearl Harbor and a cocktail party on U.S.S. Missouri, Born: February 19, 1953, in Portland Married: Diane Herried Children: Jenni, Kelli, Nikki, and June IV Education: Grant High School (gradu– ated 1971 ); University of Oregon, University of Hawaii, Portland State (1975-76); earned degree through NFL degree program at New York State Regents College Pro Football: NFL Atlanta Falcons 1977-81 Assistant Coach: Hawaii 1983, Houston Gamblers 1984, Denver Gold 1985, Ottawa Roughriders 1986, Houston Oilers 1987-88, Detroit Lions 1989-90, Atlanta Falcons 1991-93 Head Coach: Atlanta Falcons 1994-96, San Diego Chargers (interim) 1998, University of Hawaii 1999- Named to PSU Hall of Fame 1997 a round of golf with PSU President Dan Bernstine, a geological tour led by Professor Scott Burns, and a tailgate party before the 6 p.m. Saturday game. Call (503) 725-4949 for details or visit the Web site www.goviks.com . SPRING 2000 PSU MAGAZINE 19