Faculty members at the University of Hawaii are wondering why deposed football offensive coordinator Aaron Price hasn’t been reassigned if he is to remain on the school’s payroll, and how such a situation could have transpired.
UH announced Friday on the opening day of fall camp that Price, who was hired in February, was "no longer with the football program." UH said Price had not been fired, had not resigned and would be paid through the conclusion of his one-year contract. The agreement is believed to expire in March.
"While the Manoa Faculty Senate does not know the particulars surrounding the removal of Mr. Aaron Price from his coaching duties as offensive coordinator for the football team, we would expect that he would be assigned other appropriate duties by the (athletic director) as long as he remains under contract to UHM Athletics," David Ericson, chair of the Manoa Faculty Senate, wrote in an email.
Ericson said, "This may require a salary adjustment if equivalent duties cannot be found. However, if Mr. Price is unable to perform alternative duties, for any reason, during the remainder of his contract (which we presume is for one year), then we expect there should be a parting of the ways and a settlement that is fair and equitable to both parties."
The listed salary range for the position at UH is $116,640-$203,688, with Price believed to be near the bottom.
Ericson, who is a Professor of Philosophy of Education and Educational Policy Studies, said, "Finally, we would hope that the AD examines how and why such an apparent and expensive misjudgment in hiring was made in the first place so that future hires do not similarly run aground at further cost to the university."
Athletic director Ben Jay was traveling on athletic department business and said via text, "I’m not commenting at least until after I return. This is a personnel matter."
