Friday, January 18, 2002
[ UH WARRIOR FOOTBALL ]
UH tries to seal Keeping a successful coach happy has become the ultimate game of political football.
Jones deal
For the Hawaii coach, there's
more at issue than money,
according to DobelleBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comThe renegotiation of Hawaii football coach June Jones' contract is proceeding well, according to several sources close to the situation. A big reason is the state's apparent willingness to seriously consider giving UH control of Aloha Stadium, where the Warriors play their home games.
University president Evan Dobelle said Walter Kirimitsu, his chief of staff, has been negotiating a new deal with Jones and his representatives.
Dobelle said "it isn't all about money" with Jones. The coach is asking for an unspecified raise from his annual $320,000 plus incentives; Jones also wants provisions that he hopes will help elevate the UH program to among the nation's best.
Though Jones is not commenting, it is no secret that UH gaining control of Aloha Stadium is one of the key points in keeping the Warriors' coach from leaving.
"You could say that would have been a dealbreaker," a source told the Star-Bulletin last month.
In addition to saving $800,000 in rent each year, UH hopes to improve the parking situation and customer relations concerns at the stadium.
One question, though, regardless of who ends up controlling the stadium, is how long it will last. The facility is in need of refurbishing, and might be usable for only 10 more years. Jones and Dobelle have spoken of building a new stadium, either on the Manoa campus or in West Oahu.
Several proposals addressing the issue of giving UH control of Aloha Stadium are already beginning to take shape at the state legislature, and key lawmakers have spoken publicly in support of the concept. So has Gov. Ben Cayetano.
Several sources have said Jones is also looking for other changes, including giving UH students free tickets to home games, booking more charter flights for road games and making facilities improvements (one goal is to replace the artificial turf at Cooke Field with FieldTurf, an artificial surface that is not as hard on players as other types of synthetic grass).
The negotiations are winding down, but could take several weeks to finalize, a source said.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
