COLLEGE FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: SMU, HAWAII VYING FOR JONES.

Byline: Staff and Wire Services

June Jones spent Sunday night trying to decide whether to accept an offer to coach SMU or return to Hawaii, where the governor is among those trying to keep him.

"It's been a wild day," agent Leigh Steinberg said. "I haven't seen anything like this before. It's emotionally wrenching for June."

Jones was in Dallas meeting with SMU officials and the search committee that has been working since late October to hire a replacement to Phil Bennett. Meanwhile, the folks on the island were doing all they could to get him to say no and continue leading a program he has guided to national prominence.

Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle called to see what she could do, and the president who oversees the entire University of Hawaii system called with an updated contract proposal. It's the second in three days, but the first made by the school's overall leader.

The higher-ups aren't the only ones doing their best to lure Jones back.

"Yesterday when he was in Hawaii, June was visited by dozens of alums and fans, urging him to stay," Steinberg said. "He's received dozens of phone calls and e-mails telling him what he's meant to not only the school but the whole state, with personal stories that were poignant, heart-warming. ... It's a pretty interesting story from that standpoint. The whole state is energized to keep June."

Steinberg said Jones was planning on making a decision Sunday night.

"These programs need to know," he said. "It's time."

The paradise setting of Honolulu and a program coming off a BCS bowl would seem like no match for a school like SMU, where losing has been entrenched since receiving the NCAA's only death penalty in the late 1980s. Yet Jones is always up for a challenge, as evidenced by his initial move to Hawaii, which was coming off a winless season and he was coming off 12 years in the NFL. SMU likely can provide a higher salary and -- perhaps more important to Jones -- a bigger budget and better facilities.

Recruits stick with UCLA

Dominguez High of Compton defensive back Aaron Hester and Dorsey safety Rahim Moore remain committed to UCLA.

Both players, who were participating in all-star games this weekend, were able to talk to new coach Rick Neuheisel by phone. Hester and Moore were relieved when defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker decided to stay at UCLA.

"I'm still committed," Hester said Sunday. "My mind's not going to change."

Said Moore: "I'm strong as a rock with UCLA."

-- Jill Painter

UCF's Smith runs reverse, will turn pro

Central Florida's Kevin Smith, the nation's leading rusher this season, changed his mind and will turn pro, he confirmed.

Smith seriously challenged Barry Sanders' NCAA record of 2,628 rushing yards in a season, but finished 61 yards short. The running back was hailed as a hero three weeks ago for deciding to stay in school to earn a degree and help build UCF's burgeoning program.

"I reviewed the season as a whole, talked to my mother and expressed myself with my mother," Smith told The Associated Press. "She basically told me, 'Do what makes you happy, because it's only you that has to put the input in order to get he output."'

Smith's decision was first reported by WFTV, Orlando's ABC affiliate. Smith said at a news conference Dec. 18 he would return to school, defying analysts who said he had nothing left to prove, and would be risking injury with more time in college.

Cal adjusts coaching staff

California coach Jeff Tedford shuffled several spots on his staff, most notably hiring Frank Cignetti as his offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Tedford also hired Al Simmons as defensive backs coach, reassigned three assistants and announced the departure of two others, including respected defensive line coach Ken Delgado.