Signs pointed to the momentum changing in the University of Hawai'i's favor as it negotiated deep into the night in an all-out effort to retain June Jones as its head football coach.

Leigh Steinberg, Jones' agent, said the Warriors' all-time winningest Division I-A football coach arrived in Dallas yesterday morning with the intent of becoming Southern Methodist University's next head football coach.

But Steinberg said Jones began to have second thoughts after receiving an outpouring of e-mails and cell-phone calls from Warrior supporters.

What's more, UH president David McClain, who took the lead in negotiations, addressed Jones' concerns about plans to improve the athletic facilities and the football program's resources.

"I don't think there's any question that June came here meaning to make the change," Steinberg said. "But, obviously, his heart has been in Hawai'i. These calls and interactions he's had (Saturday) in person and (yesterday) on the phone and by e-mail are making it difficult.

"June has been deluged with calls from the Islands exhorting him to stay," Steinberg added. "I received a call from Gov. Lingle, and she asked if there's anything she could do. I've been getting a series of e-mails and text messages. Every time I look down, there's another e-mail or text message, talking about how much he means to the school, the youth, the Islands. He and I both believe in community."

Steinberg said he expects Jones to reach a decision this morning.

Jones arrived in Texas yesterday to meet with SMU officials on the private school's Dallas campus.

"It was a very positive day at SMU," Steinberg said.

Jones and Steinberg met with SMU president R. Gerald Turner. They had lunch at the home of Gerald J. Ford, a billionaire who donated $20 million for the campus stadium named after him. Ford is a member of the SMU board of trustees.

They also had a meeting with the search committee, during which Jones was offered a five-year deal valued at between $1.85 million and $2 million annually.

Later, Jones and Steinberg had dinner with several SMU alumni, including Dan Hunt, owner of the Kansas City Chiefs.

"It was a very positive, upbeat day," Steinberg said.

But UH would not back away. McClain sent Steinberg and Jones a list of proposed improvements for the football program.

UH also reaffirmed its offer of a five-year contract with a base salary of $1.3 million annually, according to sources. If Jones stays the entire five years, he would receive a $1 million bonus, sources said.

But Steinberg said Jones was not focused on producing the "best" financial deal. Jones earns $800,016 annually on a five-year contract that expires June 30. Half of the contract is paid by donors, the school said.

"It's never been about (money)," Steinberg said. "It was about commitment. It wasn't until (McClain's list yesterday that) I saw anything in writing about the (UH) facilities."

Steinberg said SMU did not impose a deadline.

"They've never pressured," Steinberg said. But "there's got to be closure for both schools, as a practical matter."

After the dinner, Steinberg said, Jones went straight to his hotel room.

"It's in his court," Steinberg said. "He has not made a decision yet."

Middle linebacker Solomon Elimimian said he can't imagine Hawai'i without Jones.

"I think Coach Jones identifies a lot with the Hawai'i culture," Elimimian said. "He's been here nine years. Everybody loves him. You can't mention UH football without Coach Jones."

Linebacker Adam Leonard said: "My wish is for him to make the right decision for him and his family. He's a great coach, a wonderful coach to play for."

But Leonard said he hopes UH officials "step up and deliver on all of the promises they made him when he first took the job."

Leonard noted that UH's facilities are inferior to those at other schools. The Warriors do not have an on-campus practice facility with artificial surface on days it rains. The infield at UH's Cooke Field has been condemned for nearly two years.

See Tsai's blog at http://blogs.honoluluadvertiser.com.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.