Report: SMU Offers Job To Jones

SMU has reportedly offered a contract to Hawaii coach June Jones

Jan. 4, 2008

DALLAS (Ticker) - SMU has reportedly offered a contract to Hawaii coach June Jones.

According to a report in the Dallas Morning News on Friday, Jones has been offered between $1.7 million and $2 million to make the move to Dallas.

Jones has transformed the Hawaii program, which enjoyed an unbeaten regular season before losing 41-10 to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on Tuesday.

However, he is yet to be offered an extension to his contract that expires later this year, and has been rumored to be concerned with Hawaii's level of commitment to further expanding the program.

A report in the Honolulu Advertiser said an NFL team is also interested in Jones.

Hawaii has said it intends to offer Jones an extension.

"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 goals as well," said Hawaii at Manoa chancellor Virginia Hinshaw in a statement released Thursday.

"It was 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." SMU has been in the market for a new coach since firing Phil Bennett almost 10 weeks ago following a 1-11 season.

The Morning News report also suggested that Mike Martz, who was fired as the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator earlier this week, is a candidate.