UH coach June Jones will become
Hawaii's highest-paid public employee
if his new contract is OK'd today
The University of Hawaii Board of Regents was expected to approve a new five-year contract for football coach June Jones today. The compensation package -- most of which comes from private donations -- is between $750,000 and $800,000, sources said yesterday.
Jones, who has had agent Leigh Steinberg handle his negotiations, was not among those overly interested in his new paycheck yesterday.
"To be perfectly honest, I don't know the amount," he said yesterday, "but I would guess that's about right."
The new deal will likely go into effect July 1.
The regents' personnel and legal affairs committee discussed the proposed new contract yesterday and forwarded a recommendation to the full board.
Jones signed a five-year contract for $400,000 a year in 1999, including incentives.
Approval today would make Jones the highest-paid coach in the 10-school Western Athletic Conference, as well as the highest-paid public employee in Hawaii.
Officials would not comment yesterday.
"We're not talking about June," UH President Evan Dobelle said.
However, athletic director Herman Frazier appeared confident after the closed-door meeting, and a person knowledgeable of the situation said Jones is "worth every penny."
"It's more than the president makes, but it's all about market value and he's worth it," the person said.
Jones has led UH to a 31-20 record in four seasons, and took the team to bowl games in 1999 and 2002. Jones, 50, is a former UH quarterback and assistant coach and 15-year pro coach who returned to be Hawaii head coach in 1999 after the Rainbows went 0-12 in 1998.
He was named national coach of the year by three different organizations in 1999 after he led UH to a 9-4 record including an Oahu Bowl victory. It was the biggest turnaround in college football history.
Steinberg tried to renegotiate Jones' contract after the 2001 season, when the Warriors went 9-3. He asked for $1 million a year for his client. UH made a counteroffer and negotiations quickly broke off.
Jones also asked for improved facilities and raises for his assistant coaches.
Steinberg and Frazier, who became athletic director last August, began negotiations for the new deal after last season. They came to agreement on most points several weeks ago.
Hawaii starts its season Aug. 30 at Aloha Stadium against Appalachian State.
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