Posted on: Wednesday, June 4, 2003

Frazier: Jones deal will be done by Aug. 31

Advertiser Staff

University of Hawai'i athletic director Herman Frazier last night said football coach June Jones' contract extension will be "done by Aug. 31."

Jones, whose initial five-year contract expires in January 2004, earns $320,000 annually, with $220,000 coming directly from the university and Na Koa, the football program's booster club.

Frazier, during a radio talk show involving print media representatives, said Jones "will make a raise to more than he's making now and less than $1 million."

It was the first time in six months of on-and-off-again negotiations that Frazier put a target date or mentioned salary parameters.

UH President Evan Dobelle earlier said Jones deserved to be paid at the 80th-percentile level nationally.

Nearly 18 percent of the 117 Division IA football coaches make $1 million or more and as many as 10 more are an incentive clause away from joining the Millionaire's Club.

Jones said he told his agent, Leigh Steinberg, that he wants to remain at UH after his five-year contract expires.

Frazier said he hopes to have a contract extension for Jones that will allow him "to stay here and retire here."