HONOLULU — The University of Hawaii capped a bizarre hiring saga Saturday by pivoting from June Jones and offering its head football coaching job to one of Jones’ understudies, former record-setting UH quarterback Timmy Chang.

It will be Chang’s first head coaching job on any level after serving as an assistant coach at various mainland stops over the last 10 years.

"I'm back, I'm home, and in my heart I never left," Chang said in a virtual media call Saturday afternoon. "Like I've always done for this state, I'm ready to give my all. The highest privilege in our profession is to be the head coach, so this is beyond incredible for me and my family."

UH athletic director David Matlin told Spectrum News that Chang's contract is for four years, with an opportunity to earn a fifth by making a bowl game in either of his first two years. Chang, 40, said he has signed his official paperwork.

Chang said his primary goal for the program is to win Mountain West Conference championships "and make the state proud," while acknowledging some of the hardships the program has faced over the last several weeks with controversy around former coach Todd Graham, followed by Graham's resignation and UH's public, two-day spat with ex-coach June Jones about a two- or three-year contract offer that came with stipulations like a succession clause.

"I've left this island, but I've always paid attention to what was going on," Chang said. "There needs to be some healing, but there also needs to be some understanding of where the direction is going and what we need to do. The best thing we can do is put a product on the field that's going to win. I think this state's at our best when we're winning football games."

He said he's been in contact with Jones in recent weeks and said he'd reach out soon to his mentor because "I'm June Jones through and through. ... A lot of values that I have coaching come from him."

Jones, after coaching in the 2022 Polynesian Bowl on Saturday night, wished Chang well getting the program turned around.

Chang did not mention who would be on his coaching staff.

Chang recently became receivers coach at Colorado State, following Jay Norvell over from Nevada, where Chang coached tight ends and receivers the last five years.

He was previously the offensive coordinator at Division III Emory and Henry College in Virginia, and Jackson State University in the Football Championship Subdivision. He was on Jones' staff at Southern Methodist University as an offensive assistant in 2012 and 2013.

Chang said he's been around a number of mentors that have shaped who he's become as a coach over the last decade, including Jones and Norvell. At UH, "the run and shoot will be a part of who we are," Chang said. "It's always been a part of who I was." He said it's to be determined if he will call plays himself.

He faces a daunting task in restocking the team with talent; roughly 20 players entered the NCAA transfer portal during and after the 2021 season and starters are gone from nearly every position, including quarterback Chevan Cordeiro, who is now at San Jose State.

The next signing period for recruits is Feb. 2. Chang said he would not rush to fill the roster and would use the transfer portal to find players that match his ideal style of play.

"We need to cast our net over the ocean and Pacific Rim and keep these local boys home," Chang said. He said he'd welcome back local players who went away and are looking for a place back home, while looking to complement the roster with Mainland players.

The lack of a permanent stadium is another challenge since Aloha Stadium was shut down for use following the 2020 season. UH played at the 9,000-seat Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex on campus for the first time in 2021 in a 6-7 season that only gradually included the return of fans amid pandemic restrictions. UH was to play there in the EasyPost Hawaii Bowl but backed out amid a COVID outbreak and general lack of player availability.

"I remember practicing on that turf field when I was playing," Chang said. "Quite frankly, I would love to see that thing packed with 9,000 people week in and week out, and rocking."

The UH football Twitter account sent out a video highlight package called “The Legend Returns” of Chang’s college days to make the news official.

Chang began his virtual press conference with the media by introducing himself with his full name and those of his parents. 

Chang, the Saint Louis School product who played at UH between 2000 and 2004 under Jones, was at one time the NCAA record-holder in passing yardage, completions, total attempts and interceptions. His passing yardage record of 17,072 was eclipsed by Houston's Case Keenum in 2011.

He said his most memorable moments of UH were fan-oriented. Those included seeing the fans celebrate the 1999 turnaround season; Nick Rolovich lead the team while he was out injured in 2001; himself guiding the team to a must-win game over Michigan State; and seeing Colt Brennan come back from 21 points down to beat Washington for a Sugar Bowl berth in 2007.

"The experience that I had, I really want our players to have," Chang said.

Matlin was not on Chang's call with the media, but issued a statement on Chang's hire: “I am excited to welcome back legendary quarterback Timmy Chang to Manoa. Timmy made a name for himself throwing the football as a young quarterback and has continued his legacy in the collegiate coaching ranks over the past decade. The time has come for him to take over the program that developed him into the coach, father, husband and leader he is today.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: The original story has been updated with new comments from Timmy Chang and UH athletic director David Matlin. (Jan. 22, 2022)

The story was also updated with comments from June Jones. (Jan. 23, 2022)