Southern Methodist University has offered Hawai'i coach June Jones between $1.7 million and $2 million to become its football coach, according to two sources.

Jones emerged as a candidate in late December, and SMU's pursuit has picked up since Hawai'i closed its 12-1 season Tuesday with a 41-10 loss to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

Hawai'i has yet to make an offer to extend Jones' contract, which ends June 30, though the university's chancellor released a statement yesterday confirming the school's intent to do so. Calls to Jones and Leigh Steinberg, Jones' agent, were not returned.

SMU athletic director Steve Orsini declined to comment on any candidate but said SMU has not made any ultimatums to candidates.

"That's not how you conduct a quality search," he said.

Jones, who has coached Hawai'i for nine seasons, is reportedly taking time to consider his future — which includes interest from a college and an NFL team, according to The Honolulu Advertiser.

SMU has the only remaining open job after West Virginia hired Bill Stewart yesterday. SMU fired Phil Bennett nearly 10 weeks ago. During that time, Orsini has raised $10 million toward a new coach.

"Time is of the essence, we're aware of that," said Orsini, noting the recruiting cycle.

UH-Manoa chancellor Virginia Hinshaw released a statement yesterday that included:

"I know that there is a great deal of interest in ensuring that June Jones remains here as our football coach — and that is definitely our goal as well. ... It has always been our intent to make coach Jones a firm offer that will keep him here, and I want to assure everyone that athletics director Herman Frazier is moving expeditiously to do just that."

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