March 7, 2011
="" alt="Knight Head" border="0" class="imported"> Read the Knights Insider | ="" alt="Twitter Logo" border="0" class="imported">Follow us on Twitter | ="" alt="Facebook Logo" border="0" class="imported">Get social with the Knights on Facebook
By Marc Daniels
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The months became weeks. The weeks became days. The days became hours. The hours became minutes. And so it was time.
From the day Donnie Jones made a decision to leave Marshall and become the basketball coach at UCF, fans in Huntington and all over West Virginia waited for a chance to show their feelings. They circled the date when the schedule came out and waited through an entire season.
And then it was time.
We got to this point because Jones chose to better his career, by his view and those at UCF, and take his family to Florida, a place where two of his children were born and he coached as an assistant for over a decade. He chose to coach in a new building and tap into a recruiting hotbed. How could he possibly do that? At least that's what people back in Huntington want to know.
You could ask some certain media members in West Virginia for their view of Jones' departure from Marshall and you will get a different tale. And in the end, everyone has an opinion and it will have to stay at that. But in the end, one man chose to go to a place he thought was better for him. If that makes so many people unhappy in one town, then they should hold up a mirror and as if they would do what they felt was best for them and their family.
Which brings us back to the moment. They came from all over to the Cam Henderson Center Saturday night, over 9,000 fans. They were ready to show their former coach what they thought about his decision to leave for UCF, a lateral move in their view at best.
To truly explain what it was like, we have to take you back to the beginning of the trip and how it all unfolded.
Friday 8:15 a.m: UCF arrives at the airport in Sanford for a direct flight to Huntington. For the first time in my 16 years behind the mic at UCF, the basketball team will travel with security, using one of the state troopers who escorts George O'Leary during football games.
12:10 p.m.: UCF lands in Huntington. Upon exiting the plane and making it to the luggage claim area, Jones is greeted by airport workers who welcome him back. He then finds several friends and supporters who have come to show their support.
12:11 p.m.: For the first time in my nine trips to Huntington, the sun is shining and temperatures are in the low 70s.
12:45 p.m.: At the team hotel, Jones is again greeted by friends and family, including his father...wearing a UCF jacket and sweater.
6 p.m.: UCF practices at the Cam Henderson Center. More supporters of Jones greet him as he enters the building where he once served as an assistant and head coach. UCF fans might remember Marshall coaches, players and media members wondering if UCF turned the air conditioner off when the two teams played in Orlando back in early January. Despite the fact that medical people at the arena reported no fans passing out or complaining of the heat, Marshall wondered if UCF was up to something. So it was only fitting that when UCF practiced on the Herd's home court...the heat was on.
Saturday 9 a.m.: UCF awakes for team breakfast and area papers are filled with more stories about Donnie Jones and his return and how fans can't wait to boo him. The previous day's sunshine and warm weather has been replaced by rain, gray skies and temperatures in the low 50s.
11:45 a.m.: The Knights arrive for their game day shoot around. More supporters of Jones greet him as he enters the building. The trooper who has traveled with the team talks with Marshall campus police officers on site preparing for the night, in the event their assistance is needed.
5:25 p.m.: The Knights board the team bus for the arena.
5:35 p.m.: As the bus pulls up towards the entrance to the Cam Henderson Center, more Jones supporters greet him.
6:15 p.m.: Doors have opened to the arena and the crowd has arrived early. The energy in the building is big. Students are among the first shout anti-Jones cheers and signs.
6:45 p.m.: One Marshall fan tells me he can't wait to boo Jones when he enters the floor. I ask him why he is booing. The fan says because he left and he hates UCF.
6:55 p.m.: UCF enters the tunnel area to come out on the floor and the fans are in a frenzy waiting for Jones.
7:01 p.m.: As lineups are announced the crowd is focused on the tunnel where UCF's team has come from. As they stare, Jones enters the floor from another tunnel with the trooper by his side. By the time the majority of fans recognize what has happened, Jones is already talking to his team before the tip. One Marshall fan behind me screams about how Jones entered the floor.
7:04 p.m.: The game has started and the building is pumped. Marshall has come to play and the Herd builds a lead.
9:07 p.m.: Marshall has been in control throughout the night and has earned the win. The game is filled with six technical fouls and one flagrant foul that led to a Marshall player being ejected.
9:24 p.m.: Several Marshall fans have gathered behind my courtside location waiting for Jones to come out for his postgame radio interview. Blame me. I have too much respect for UCF's coach to put him that position. Despite Jones being willing to come out, I inform Doug Richards, the basketball media relations director, that Jones does not need to be a part of what is going on. Jones does speak to the media back in the interview room. Several Marshall fans shout at me about Jones not coming out.
9:58 p.m.: Jones steps out of the arena and is about to get on to UCF's bus and before he does, more supporters wish him well and hugs are exchanged.
10:46 p.m.: UCF's bus arrives in Charleston, W.Va., where Jones finds more supporters as he exits the bus.
Sunday 7:30 a.m.: I awake for the team breakfast and find it snowing and 28 degrees outside.
10:25 a.m.: Moments before UCF steps on the plane to head home, a Marshall fan dressed in school colors walks by Jones. He stops and does what hundreds of Marshall fans have done throughout the trip. He shakes his hand and wishes him well.
In the end, Marshall won the game. Their fans enjoyed the moment in beating their former coach. And while many of the 9,000 in attendance may feel better about themselves today because their team won the game, there are many who wore Marshall colors who still think Donnie Jones is a great coach, great friend and great man.
Knights notes and more: Joi Williams' women's basketball team is a legit contender to win its conference tournament this week. They can shoot and rebound and limit their mistakes...If the men win the tournament they will do it playing four games without a single one starting before 6 p.m. local time, and three games starting before noon...Final thought: You judge a man by what others think of him. If that's true, a lot of people think pretty highly of Donnie Jones.
Marc Daniels' From the Press Box runs several times per month on UCFAthletics.com. Listen to Marc during UCF football, men's basketball and baseball radio broadcasts on the UCF Sports Network. Each weekday, Marc hosts The Beat of Sports