Steinberg optimistic
about new Jones dealThe football coach's agent is
aiming for a five-year contract
Leigh Steinberg, the agent for Hawaii football coach June Jones, said yesterday he is happy with the progress of negotiations with UH for Jones' new contract, and expects a "long-term" deal of five years to be completed by the start of the season Aug. 30.
"I think we're heading toward the final stages. I'm not anticipating any difficulties," Steinberg said in a phone interview from his Newport Beach, Calif., office. "June has obviously been anxious to stay there long-term."
Steinberg declined to discuss many details, but he said that by "long-term," he means at least five years.
"Five years is probably the number. That's a good number when you're talking about long-term contracts," Steinberg said.
The agent also said the new contract probably won't have a lot of incentive clauses.
"Not really, there are some," Steinberg said. "The last contract had incentives for wins and academic performance, so there may be a few."
Steinberg negotiated Jones' current contract, a four-year deal that ends after the 2003 season. The total compensation package, which includes housing and TV and radio fees, comes to around $400,000 per year.
Steinberg tried to renegotiate Jones' contract at the end of the 2001 season. But talks that began with Steinberg asking for $1 million a year for his client stalled in February 2002. Negotiations for the new contract began shortly after last season.
Jones also wants raises for his assistant coaches and facility improvements.
Little has been made public about the current negotiations or how the deal might shape up, except that much of the funding will come from private sources.
Jones and UH athletic director Herman Frazier have continually declined comment on specific aspects of the negotiations, but both have said in recent weeks that negotiations are proceeding well.
"I haven't talked to (Steinberg) lately, but I know he'll get it done soon," Jones said yesterday.
Jones, 50, is a former UH player and assistant and NFL coach. Jones, who has a 31-20 record at UH, has repeatedly said he is happy as the Warriors coach and wants to stay in Hawaii, which he considers his adopted home. But his name has consistently come up as a candidate for high-profile college openings the past two years; Jones and Frazier say they have rarely been contacted about the openings, though.
"June remains really happy. He has brought the program to new heights," Steinberg said. "June is thrilled with his new recruiting class and excited with the new status of Hawaii football. Everything he came to Hawaii to build is coming through. He's getting tremendous career satisfaction.
"The next years look to be the golden years for Hawaii football."
