Jones contract
amount likely setThe only question that remains is
where the money will come from
Hawaii football coach June Jones could end this week with a new contract compensating him twice as much as what he gets paid now.
Athletic director Herman Frazier presents a proposal for Jones' new contract to the Board of Regents for discussion tomorrow and possible approval Friday. But Frazier -- and most others close to the negotiations -- has been silent about details. He referred media inquiries to upper campus.
UH president Evan Dobelle let a hint drop in a phone interview yesterday.
"His market value? I'd say it's between $700,000 and $1 million a year," he said.
Jones' current contract, a five-year deal that ends after the coming season, pays him close to $400,000, including base salary, broadcast appearance fees, housing allowance and incentives.
Most of his earnings come from private sources, as will the bulk of the expected increase.
Jones was not very active in negotiations after telling agent Leigh Steinberg what he wanted two years ago, which originally included facility improvements and raises for his assistants.
Steinberg and Frazier came to agreement on "how much" months ago, but "how" proved more challenging, a source close to the situation said yesterday.
"My understanding is it's been a done deal for a long time. It just came down to finding the money," the source said. "Getting someone to put up $50,000 for a one-time deal is one thing. Getting them to commit for year after year after year, that's the trick. But I think it's done. I don't think Herman would put it in front of the Board of Regents without it being done."
It wouldn't be like Frazier to rush into a situation unprepared. In his 10 months on the job at UH, he has been meticulous in his dealings with the regents, and he originally set an Aug. 30 deadline (coinciding with the start of the season) for finalizing Jones' contract.
But the motivation to close this month is that the fiscal year ends June 30. Jones' new contract could go into effect July 1, and Frazier can take a major step toward one of his goals: have all contracts in line with the start and end of the budget year.
That could also be why the football assistant coaches have been working without a new contract since April; their first real raise could come with new deals also starting July 1.
"Our contracts have expired," defensive line coach Vantz Singletary said. "I think it's because Frazier is trying to get us all on July to June. We've been April to March in the past. July to June, that's standard on the Division I-A level."
Quarterbacks coach Dan Morrison said Jones' contract situation -- ongoing since late 2001 -- has not affected the team.
"It has not been a distraction at all. People are doing their jobs," Morrison said. "This is something June has worked on quietly while keeping everyone on the team and staff on track. He hasn't talked a lot about it."
Jones is happy with his past two recruiting classes, and said previously he does not think the Warriors lost any prospects because the contract situation was not settled and produced rumors of him leaving UH.
"I think it's a done deal," Singletary said. "We'll all be glad to get it out of the way. We have a big year coming up. June's handled it well. Very professional about it, and it hasn't affected us. We're getting paid to do what we love and nobody's angry or upset. We know we have to wait to find out what June's deal is, and then it's a domino effect. He's told us many times he's going to try to get us something."
Once Jones' deal is done, he can fill the open defensive coordinator spot. He said last week he hopes to accomplish that by the end of next month -- in time for the start of fall camp.
For Dobelle and Frazier, the heavy lifting is presumably done, and the Jones-to-wherever rumors will subside, at least for a while.
Jones has led UH to a 31-20 record and two bowl games in four years after taking over an 0-12 team. The Warriors are picked to win the Western Athletic Conference this year.
"It's the same as I've always said. I want him to stay and stay for a long period of time," Dobelle said. "He brings stability to the program and can take it to the next level."
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