Colt interviewed by the Dallas Morning News

Asked about the possibility that he’ll be a backup QB for awhile in the NFL, Colt said:
“I’m just ready for whatever comes my way. At 24, I’m ready to go and play right now. I feel like I’m mentally ready. And the last couple of months have been about getting physically ready. I just know that a lot of kids that are physically ready have trouble getting mentally ready, but I know I’m fine mentally. If I need to sit, though, then that will make me that much better. If that’s the case, then that’s the case and I’m ready to do it.” (DMN)

DMN Note: “There’s no questioning his production on the college level, and even though it might help him on the pro level (see: system quarterback), he was quick to credit the offense June Jones ran at Hawaii and will now run down the street from here at SMU.”

About how JJ’s offense is hard for defenses to stop, Colt said:
“One thing is you don’t see that offense a lot. It’s hard to gameplan and get ready for his offense, because it’s something new, it’s something everyone’s not used to. I think if he gets the recruits he wants and the support he wants, and it all goes with the recruits, if he gets the right recruits, he’ll win right away.” (DMN)

About what SMU is getting in JJ, Colt said:
“They’re getting a great offense and a coach that prides himself in taking programs that have been dismantled and building them and taking them to a whole new level. I know he’s real serious and real adamant about letting those kids know that they can compete and play with the big boys right away. He did a great job at Hawaii, and he’ll do similar things at SMU, you could be looking at some great things there (at SMU).” (DMN)

KGMB feature on the Under Armour deal

http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/4378/43/

About how the Under Armour uniforms will help them win games, Mack said:
“We feel it’s going to help us win games. We feel it’s top of the line. And we really feel fortunate to be a part of it.” (KGMB)

KGMB Note: “McMackin is sold on Under Armour the new performance apparel that will be signature to his team next season. What was most convincing to him was the technical support the Warriors new uniforms will bring to their game.”

About the UA material, Mack said:
“All of their material is something that helps your body temperature. Their shoes are top of the line. I talked to texas tech, it’s the lightest shoe in the business. They coordinate everything like the pros.” (KGMB)

Mack Note: “Under Armour has reached the NFL, but only a select few when it comes to colleges. Hawaii now joins Auburn, Maryland, South Carolina and Texas Tech as the only schools in the country to be sponsored by the company.”

About how they are a good fit with Under Armour, McNamara said:
“I think we mirror their brand. They’re an up and comer on the national scene like we are. They feel we wanted to be aggressive with our marketing like they do. And they thought it was a great fit. We’re a real unique brand for them.” (KGMB)

KGMB Note: “The eight-year deal is worth more than $4.1 million. Besides the products Hawaii receives, the athletics program will bank $1.7 million for it’s general fund. Another bonus is the national exposure, that comes with a very popular brand for this generation of athletes.”

About how former UH players want to be in the commercials, Mack said:
“Rolo wants to be the quarterback in the ‘protect the house’ commercial and ‘click clack’ and all that type of things. We have all kind of former players, you can’t use your own players. And we have a lot of players coming out of the woodwork, to get on the commercials.” (KGMB)

Mack’s contract details released

About how it would cost him half a year’s salary ($550k) to leave UH before his contract expires, Mack said that the termination clause is:
“OK (because) I’m not going to leave for another job.” (HA)

HA Note: “The contract, which began Jan. 16, is to run through Jan. 15, 2013, and pays him an annual base salary of $1,100,004.”

About how he wanted a contract that bound him and UH for the full term, Mack said:
“I think what is different between the last contract and my contract is that I wanted to make sure I’m committed to being here and they were committed to me. I’m bringing my whole family (to Hawai’i) and I wanted them (UH) to commit to me and I think they have.” (HA)

About how the UA deal is a reflection of his commitment, Mack said:
“I mean, that’s why it is eight years, because I told them (Under Armour) that’s about what I’m thinking — 8 to 10 years.” (HA)

HA Note: “Interim athletic director Carl Clapp praised McMackin and associate athletic director John McNamara as the “driving forces” behind getting the eight-year, $4.1 million deal for UH.

McMackin will receive a $50,000 bonus if UH makes a Bowl Championship Series appearance in his reign, $20,000 if the Warriors play in a non-BCS bowl game, $10,000 if UH wins a non-BCS game and $20,000 if UH wins the Western Athletic Conference championship. In addition, he can earn $10,000 for being WAC Coach of the Year and $20,000 if named national coach of the year.

Other provisions would reward him with a $15,000 bonus if season ticket sales reach 32,500 and an additional $15,000 if they hit 40,000. Last year, UH sold 22,975 and the school has set topping 30,000 as the goal for 2008.

In other news, a “non-disparagement” clause in the school’s separation agreement with former athletic director Herman Frazier prohibits “current and future administrators, regents and officers” from making “disparaging or negative comments” about him and him about the school.”

UH gets a huge deal with Under Armour

About how UH’s deal with Under Armour is comparable to BCS schools, John McNamara said:
“It is commensurate with Auburn, Maryland (who also have Under Armour deals). I’d say it definitely puts us on a par with them.” (HA)

About the deal, WAC commissioner Karl Benson said:
“my understanding is this appears to be the richest apparel agreement of any of the WAC schools. I’m sure that last season’s football success led to this type of a deal.” (HA)

HA Note: “In exchange for becoming the “Outfitter of Hawai’i Football,” Maryland-based Under Armour will provide UH with $2,424,000 in uniform and shoe products and also pay UH $1,680,000 in cash, including $1,140,000 in rights fees and a minimum of $540,000 in marketing support as a member of the school’s corporate partner program. The contract, which becomes effective in July, will replace the current deal with Nike, which UH said included no cash and less merchandise, the school said.

McNamara said that Nike and Russell Athletic also negotiated with UH and:
“we took the deal that was in our best interests and are moving forward.” (HA)

HA Note: “In its first year, UH said it will receive $440,000 in cash, merchandise and marketing support — $125,000 in rights fees, $225,000 in product allowance, $20,000 for coaches’ apparel, $10,000 for staff apparel, $10,000 for camp apparel and $50,000 in marketing support.”

About selecting Under Armour, McNamara said:
“Under Armour is an aggressive and up-and-coming player on the national scene (and) likewise, we see ourselves that way so the marriage of our two brands is a natural and a win/win relationship for both parties.” (HA)

About adding UH to their selected schools, Under Armour chairman and CEO Kevin Plank said:
“We’re thrilled to add Hawai’i to the very select list of football programs we’re outfitting. We identified UH as a team we wanted to outfit with our state-of-the-art performance apparel, uniforms and footwear and we look forward to giving their (players) an advantage on the field while also using the relationship to showcase our latest innovations in footwear, uniform designs, fabrics and textiles.” (HA)

“We’re thrilled to add Hawaii to the very select list of football programs we’re outfitting. We identified UH as a team we wanted to outfit.” (HSB)

HA Note: “Although the deal is strictly for football initially, UH officials said both parties left open the potential that other sports could be included as their sponsorships expire. Heretofore each sport has negotiated its own apparel deals, when possible. UH officials said there will be some changes from the recent uniforms but they wouldn’t be “radical.” “

Mack said that the new uniforms they wear at Florida could include some green and that he’s intrigued with the possibility of having “throwback” uniforms:
“The thing about these guys we’re working with is they give you a lot of options.” (HA)

About how he’s impressed with the “now technology” UA embraces, Mack said:
“Mike Leach (Texas Tech coach) told me their shoes are lighter than the others, we feel their products are going to help us win games. We feel they are top of the line and feel fortunate to be involved with them.” (HA)

About how their UA deal will help with recruiting, Mack said:
“Kids keep track of things like this. They know.” (HA)

HSB Note: “It is a deal like nothing UH has ever brokered before. Under Armour is known most for its moisture-wicking shirts and “Protect this House” and “Click-Clack” ad campaigns. Auburn, Maryland, South Carolina and Texas Tech are the only schools with deals similar to UH’s.”

About how the past UH players are excited about the deal, Mack said:
“We’ve got all kinds of former players lining up to be in the commercials.” (HSB)

HSB Note: “UH SIGNS 8-YEAR DEAL WITH UNDER ARMOUR
» Rights Fee: $1,140,000
» Product Allowance: $1,940,000
» Coaches’ Apparel: $240,000
» Staff Apparel: $136,000
» Camp Apparel: $108,000
» Marketing Support: $540,000
» Total: $4,104,000″

Remembering what it is like to be early with an exciting relatively new apparel company, Mack said:
“I was at Miami when Nike picked their four teams (and the Hurricanes were one). And it was such a great experience because they took such good care of the players and coaches and university.” (HSB)

Asked if UA is the Nike of the new millennium, Mack said:
“I really think it’s a similar situation.” (HSB)

HSB Note: “UH is in ahead of the crowd. The Warriors and Under Armour announced an eight-year apparel, footwear and marketing agreement yesterday. The deal provides UH with $3 million in product and marketing support, plus more than $1.1 million in total rights fees. Only four other schools — Auburn, Maryland, South Carolina and Texas Tech — have similar deals with Under Armour.”

About the UA deal, Clapp said:
“This is certainly a landmark deal for UH athletics.” (HSB)

HSB Note: “Hawaii’s expiring agreement with Nike does not include a rights fee.”

About the negotiations, McNamara said:
“It was important to us that it be a full-blown partnership. We met with Nike and Russell, and Under Armour came to the table. We were flattered by the offers from all three, but we felt this one mirrored where we wanted to go as a football program. Going forward. All three offers were much better than what we currently had.” (HSB)

HSB Note: “McMackin said conversations he had with Texas Tech coach Mike Leach and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis helped sell him on Under Armour.”

About how the players are excited, Mack said:
“This is the trendy thing. I just talked to (linebacker) Blaze (Soares). He’s as excited as heck.” (HSB)

Excited about the deal, Rocky Savaiigaea said:
“It looks great. Nike’s a big-time thing, but Under Armour, that’s no joke there. They’re giving us a bunch of things. It’s not just one shirt, one shorts. The jerseys are nice, they’re giving us a bunch of travel gear. It’s like we’re actually being treated like we should be treated. They’re really taking care of us. When we went up to the Sugar Bowl, Georgia had all the top apparel and we didn’t.” (HSB)

About the new uniform designs, UH media relations director Derek Inouchi said:
“I’ve seen the mock-ups, and it’s a lot different look.” (HSB)

HSB Note: “McNamara said the athletic department will keep the rights fees, which range from $125,000 in 2008-09 to $160,000 in 2015-16.”

Mack and JJ: Best of Friends

About bringing some Hawaii style to SMU, JJ said:
“I wear (aloha shirts) up there actually. We instituted aloha fridays.” (KHNL)

About how JJ is in Hawaii now to help Mack and the UH program, Mack said:
“We’re best friends, and he’s best friends with Hawaii.” (KHNL)

KHNL Note: “McMackin and Jones have known and worked with each other for more than 20 years. From Oregon, to the USFL, to the 1999 and 2007 warriors — two of the program’s biggest years under Jones.”

Praising Mack, JJ said:
“He’s a good football coach, good person, good man. I’m excited for him to lead this program.” (KHNL)

Praising JJ, Mack said:
“He’s just a special guy. He’s been a good friend of mine forever. He supports me in anything I do, and I support him in anything he does.” (KHNL)

Asked who would win if UH played SMU, Mack said:
“We’re gonna kick their ass. You know that.” (KHNL)

JJ made a surprising prediction:
“Uh, U.H. It’s hard to come over here and win, I know that.” (KHNL)

About facing SMU, Mack said:
“I don’t think you can shut down the run and shoot. But I just believe in our guys, and i’m sure he feels the same way.” (KHNL)

KHNL Note: “Jones says the Mustangs have openings in their schedule in the 2009, 2012 and 2013 seasons. But ultimately, scheduling is not up to the coaches — it’s up to the athletics director.”