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Many of the Warriors arrived back home yesterday -- the Star-Bulletin and The Advertiser have coverage. I'm back home as well after a long day and night of travel, though not nearly as long as a lot of other fans. I'll slowly get back in gear and catch up on all the news I missed. Thanks for all your great comments over the past couple days -- many of you said it a lot better than I could have and I'll post some excerpts tonight. Glad to see the UH fans supporting the team despite the big loss. Like Stephen Tsai wrote, the ovation given to the team by the UH fans as the game wound down was a sight to behold. Let's hope the level of fan support that roared to life because of this team this season will continue to grow. Anyway, here are today's articles, and I'll try to archive the stuff I missed later this week.

The Star-Bulletin has several articles about the Warriors' arrival back in HNL. On that page, Billy Hull talks to Colt Brennan about his tough game, while Brian McInnis and Jason Kaneshiro talk to the players and coaches about the positives of the trip and of the season:

The team members who returned to Oahu yesterday aboard a Hawaiian Airlines charter were greeted by music and hula dancers at Honolulu International Airport before being quickly bused to the UH campus. The coaches rounded up the players behind the four buses first, and Jones gave them some final encouragement before the Warriors went on their way.

"He said to be proud. We accomplished a lot, we had a great season," said Mike Lafaele, defensive tackle and team captain. "He told us he loved us and we love him too, he's a great coach. There's nothing to hold our heads down for, just be proud of what we did for this state and for our program."

Also on that page, Dave Reardon has his Warrior Replay detailing five key plays from the game, and he writes about post-season games for some Warriors to look forward to.

Yesterday, Brennan returned to Hawaii with most of his teammates and coaches. His next game is the Jan. 26 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., the premier college all-star game. Hopefully three weeks is enough time to overcome the effects of eight sacks Tuesday.

Meanwhile, defensive end Amani Purcell accepted an invitation to next week's Hula Bowl.

"It takes a little of the sting out," said Purcell, who joins teammates C.J. Hawthorne, Mike Lafaele, Jake Patek, Jason Rivers and Herc Satele in the Jan. 12 game at Aloha Stadium.

Robert Shikina writes about the fans who came to support the Warriors as they arrived back home.

"We've had great fans all year, and I'm really surprised to see them here today," a soft-spoken Brennan said. "We're just really, really sorry we couldn't have shown up and played better."

Candy Condos got Brennan's autograph and several other players' on a jersey and a magazine. "I got a hug from (player defensive linebacker Adam) Leonard," said Condos. The Hawaii Kai resident said she went to campus after to show the team "whether you win or lose, we're there for you."

Kaiana Ahmed, father of freshman Pookela Ahmed, said after the game fans are only more supportive of the team. He said, "Just because they lost this game, they didn't lose any love and support of the islands."

Rocky Savaiigaea, a sophomore defensive lineman, said it meant a lot to him to see the fans waiting for the bus.

Mary Vorsino talks to some fans who made the trip to New Orleans.

"Although the team lost, it was a good experience," said Karen Loui, who went to New Orleans with her husband and 12-year-old son. The family spent about $11,000 on the trip, including airfare, accommodations and spending money. "It was definitely worth it," Loui's husband, Edmund, said.

Here's some analysis from Ferd Lewis and Paul Arnett, an editorial from the Star-Bulletin, and Stephen Tsai writes that June Jones is letting his agent listen to offers from other teams, while UH has still yet to offer anything.

ESPN.com reported that Southern Methodist is prepared to offer between $1.5 million and $1.7 million annually for Jones to coach at the Dallas school.

Jones, who returned to town yesterday after coaching the Warriors in the Sugar Bowl, said he has yet to discuss the matter with his agent, Leigh Steinberg, who has had discussions with SMU officials.

Jones said he has empowered Steinberg to listen to offers. While Jones has not talked directly to suitors, he said, "Leigh has. I haven't talked to him about it. I haven't had time."

Jones added: "I'm going to take some time off, let Leigh do his job, and I'm going to analyze it."

During a meeting with coaches last week, Jones said he would listen to other offers.

He reiterated those comments to his players during a meeting at Honolulu International Airport yesterday, soon after the team returned on a non-stop charter flight from New Orleans.

"He said he's going to be doing some things the next couple of weeks," quarterback Colt Brennan said.

He added that Jones said: "By the 14th, you should know everything you need to know."

I'm still confident June will come back to UH, barring a big screwup by the UH administration. Hehe, I probably shouldn't joke about that.