At an autograph signing in Waikiki yesterday for University of Hawai'i football players, the talk among fans was about coach June Jones.

What will happen if he leaves, many wondered.

And who can take his place?

"I'll keep praying that he stays," said Loretta Nonies of Mililani.

Her comments were echoed up and down the line of more than 500 fans who turned out to get autographs. UH football players who attended the event also said they hope Jones doesn't go.

"It's going to hurt the program" if he leaves, said defensive lineman Michael Lafaele between signing posters, T-shirts, helmets and caps. "He's got big shoes to fill."

Jones, UH's head coach since 1999, has said he is considering an offer by Southern Methodist University to become its next head football coach. He was expected to travel to the Dallas campus today.

Kent Untermann, a UH football player in the 1980s who helped organize yesterday's autograph signing, said Jones' departure could spell disaster for the football program at UH.

"I think it's terrible," Untermann said. "He was obviously fabulous for the program."

Eugene Price, also an organizer and former player, said Jones' decision appears to be about more than money. He said if Jones takes any outside offer, UH officials will have some explaining to do.

"I don't think it will be very good for the team," he said.

Fans, some of whom spent up to an hour in line waiting for autographs, agreed.

"He's taken this team so far," said Clint Chinen of Mililani. "I'm so proud of all they (the players) have accomplished."

Jones coached the Warriors to a 12-0 regular-season record, which led to UH's first appearance in the Bowl Championship Series.

Some 15,000 fans traveled to New Orleans to attend the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day, where UH was defeated 41-10 by the Georgia Bulldogs.

Liane Murai brought her son Aaron, 7, to the autograph signing yesterday to get as many signatures as they could. She said the perfect season shouldn't end with Jones' departure.

"It's been an exciting season," she said as she waited in line. "I hope he doesn't go."

The two-hour autograph session on Waikiki Beach Walk was the second of four events scheduled by Na Koa, the UH football booster club. Sixty percent to 85 percent of the proceeds from each autograph go to the players or Na Koa, said Untermann, co-founder of Pictures Plus.

The rest goes to setting up the signing events, he said.

Autographs yesterday cost between $5 and $7.50.

Autographs by Colt Brennan, who will be at a Sunday session at Kahala Mall, cost $20 and sold out Thursday at the first signing event. There also will be a session today at the Pearl Harbor Navy Exchange.

Untermann said players who attended Thursday's session got from $400 to $1,000. Players were expected to earn more yesterday, as fans appeared to be getting as many signatures as they could. The Sunday event at Kahala Mall with Brennan is likely to be the busiest.

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.