NOTEBOOK: JONES AWAITS HAWAII OFFER.

Byline: Daily News Staff and Wire Reports

June Jones says his primary focus is on a contract extension that will keep him at the University of Hawaii. However, according to ESPN, should negotiations break down within the next 7-10 days, he says he would have an interest in the Georgia Tech coaching vacancy.

Jones acknowledged he has been phoned by Georgia Tech alums to gauge his interest in a job that became available when George O'Leary departed for Notre Dame. He says he has not been contacted by Yellow Jackets athletic director Dave Braine.

Jones is the former coach of the Atlanta Falcons.

``My hope is that we'll work out something (with Hawaii),'' Jones told ESPN, ``and we've been talking about that for some time now. I've committed to this program and this is where I want to be. But there are some things that the school has to do, too, and those things aren't all financial. We need to upgrade (the program).''

Jones' Hawaii team finished 9-3, including a 72-45 thrashing of previously undefeated Brigham Young on Saturday, but is not going to a bowl game.

Employing his trademark ``run-and-shoot'' offense, with four wide receivers, Hawaii finished second in the country in passing offense.

--No award for Brady: Cal State Northridge quarterback Marcus Brady is not among the three finalists for the Walter Payton Award but he has been selected to the American Football Coaches Association's All-America team, which is expected to be released next week.

Brady was one of 16 players nominated for the Walter Payton Award. Hofstra quarterback Rocky Butler, Georgia Southern running back Adrian Peterson and Villanova running back Brian Westbrook are the finalists. The winner will be announced on Dec. 20 in Chattanooga, Tenn., site of the Division I-AA national championship game.

Also, Brady was named the Division I-AA independent offensive player of the year by the NCAA. Brady completed 257 passes for 3,355 yards, 34 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Brady continues to work out for NFL scouts.

CSUN junior receiver Drew Amerson and senior linebacker Lewis Blanton were named first-team All-Americans as well. Receivers D.J. Hackett and Anthony Ramos, defensive back Martin Bacon and punter Ernie Romer were second-team selections.

Hackett already has committed to transfer to Colorado. Amerson is scheduled to visit several schools, including Troy State.

- Jill Painter

--NCAA admits mistake: Linebacker Lemarcus Rowell, ruled ineligible to play for Auburn this season because a math course didn't pass muster with the NCAA, has learned belatedly the NCAA made a mistake.

An NCAA official informed Auburn that Rowell's file was overlooked for weeks and that the math course actually had been approved in time for Rowell to play as a freshman.

--Harrington on Shrine team: Oregon quarterback Joey Harrington heads the West roster announced Wednesday for the East-West Shrine Game, which will be played Jan. 12 at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco.

Harrington, who will play in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1, will join his coach, Mike Bellotti, for the game.

Indiana's Antwaan Randle El and Illinois' Kurt Kittner headline the East roster. Illinois' Ron Turner, the Big 10 coach of the year, will coach the East.

--Assistant coach honored: Miami defensive coordinator Randy Shannon received the Frank Broyles Award as the top assistant football coach in the nation.

--Colorado player top TE: Colorado's Daniel Graham won the John Mackey Award as the nation's top tight end.

Graham, a first-team All-America selection, caught 51 passes for a school-record 753 yards and six touchdowns for the third-ranked Buffaloes, who won the Big 12 championship and will play No. 2 Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1.

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