By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Columnist

When University of Hawai'i athletic director Herman Frazier was given an effusive introduction at a luncheon Friday by a representative of the administration, he suspected an ulterior motive.

"I think the bottom line on this (is) they are telling me I need to raise money. I think that's where all this is going ... so I can sign the football coach and everything else," Frazier said.

If Frazier ever imagined the task of settling June Jones' much-discussed contract extension as just another line on his lengthy "to do" list, the events of the week have disabused that notion.

In four days, Frazier has gone from answering ques-tions about contract negotiations in positive, hopeful terms to a sometimes-grim "no comment."

Rumors — unfounded, it turned out — that Jones was being considered for the San Francisco 49ers' job swept through town. Then, when Oregon State's Dennis Erickson went to the 49ers, speculation soared that Jones was being courted by OSU. Jones, who observers in Oregon say might have been the Beavers' top choice for the job, said he took his name out of consideration Thursday.

Meanwhile, all of the frenzy was fanned by reminders that, after four years of on-again, off-again moves, UH and its most visible coach still haven't come to terms on an extension of a contract that expires in 10 months.

Three points that UH and Jones have agreed upon since he brought about the biggest single-season NCAA I-A turnaround (0-12 to 9-4) in his first season are: That he wants to remain here; that the school desperately wants to keep him, and that he deserves a significant raise.

But re-tying the knot has taken on all the complexities of slowing down Jones' signature run-and-shoot offense and the process has overlapped the tenures of two UH presidents and two athletic directors.

In the meantime, a lot has changed since Jones turned the downtrodden then-Rainbows into the Warriors, a new-look team with a 31-20 record. When Jones turned down a four-year, $3 million offer from the San Diego Chargers to sign on at UH for $1.6 million over five years, his ($320,000) base salary was only slightly below the average of I-A coaches. Now, the average is headed for $600,000, some WAC coaches have seen their salaries double and approximately 20 percent of I-A coaches make $1 million or more.

Jones, who turns 50 Wednesday, has seen his own situation change, too, especially financially following the separation from his wife more than a year ago.

After Jones' inaugural season, UH officials moved quickly in proposing an extension. They persuaded the Board of Regents to waive a rule on maximum contract length with a plan that would have taken Jones' deal through Dec. 2006 while giving him a six-figure annuity.

No agreement materialized, and nobody has explained why, although suspicion was Jones was advised against it because of the prospects of a more lucrative deal down the road.

Last year, amid reports that Jones' agent, Leigh Steinberg, proposed a package worth nearly $1 million a year — a figure denied by the coach — UH sought corporate donations without success.

Then, last month UH President Evan Dobelle raised the bar anew, saying Jones should be paid in the 80th percentile of I-A coaches.

Where that kind of money will come from and when it might materialize at a time when the department is running an approximately $1 million deficit and enhanced donations are tough to come by, nobody is saying.

But Frazier has little doubt who is expected to find it.

Chronology of June Jones' UH contract

• Dec. 9, 1998 — In a marathon negotiating session that lasts long into the night, athletic director Hugh Yoshida and assistant Jim Donovan reach a deal with June Jones' representatives, UH administrators and boosters to bring the coach to UH for $1.6 million over 5 years.

• Nov. 15, 1999 — Amid reports that other schools are looking at him, Jones says, "This is where I want to be for the next 20 years and hopefully it'll work out that way."

• Jan. 18, 2000 — Following a surprising 9-3 season and O'ahu Bowl victory over Oregon State, UH officials move to extend Jones' deal. President Kenneth Mortimer says: "(An extension is) something that I fully support. We'll continue talking about that. We want him here for a long time."

• Jan. 21, 2000 — UH Board of Regents suspends its limit on contracts longer than five years and approves offering Jones a seven-year deal that, with the extension, will run through Dec. 30, 2006. In addition it agrees to offer an annuity if Jones stays at least five years. Jones says, "I appreciate the gesture. Basically, when we sit down and talk, I'll be able to find out more about it."

• Dec. 6, 2001 — Amid reports that Georgia Tech is interested in him, Jones says on ESPN.com he hopes an extension with UH can be worked out within 10 days.

• Dec. 20, 2001 — Jones' agent, Leigh Steinberg says, "Hawai'i is where his heart is. He is in the place he would like to be. He would like to continue coaching in Hawai'i for the rest of his professional career. He believes there's a unique spirit there. He's found a peace that would be hard to replicate any place else."

• Jan. 13, 2002 — Asked about Jones' contract extension, Gov. Ben Cayetano says: "I think the contract will get done soon."

• Jan. 27, 2002 — Through a spokesman, UH President Evan Dobelle, who is paid $442,000, says he wouldn't have "any philosophical opposition" to paying a football coach even more, provided Jones "picks up the tab at Murphy's."

• Feb. 14, 2002 — Jones instructs his agent to halt negotiations until after the season. Said Jones: "There's no timetable on it (negotiations). I know I'm not really concerned about anything right now."

• Feb. 15, 2002 — Following the breakdown of talks, Jones denies rumors that his agent proposed a sizeable loan that would not have to be repaid as part of a deal worth nearly $1 million per season. UH officials say they are unable to offer such a bonus or guarantee the state will turn over operation of Aloha Stadium, saying "... we hope to put together a deal that is good for June Jones but also realistic for a public university."

• Dec. 26, 2002 — At the season's conclusion, Jones signals an interest in resuming talks, saying, "I want to be here. I hope it works out. My heart is here. This is where I want to be. Hopefully in the next three weeks or so, we'll get those things answered."

• Jan. 8, 2003 — UH President Evan Dobelle says Jones should be paid in 80th percentile of Division I-A coaches. Approximately 20 percent of the 117 I-A coaches make $1 million or more.

• Jan. 27, 2003 — Athletic director Herman Frazier says, "Everybody knows we're heading in the direction to getting it completed."

• Feb. 13, 2003 — (Portland) Oregonian newspaper reports Jones has been contacted about vacant Oregon State job.

• Feb. 14, 2003 — Jones says he has twice had talks with OSU representatives but says he is staying at UH.