University of Hawaii officials were said to be meeting with men’s basketball coach Eran Ganot on Monday as the deadline drew near for the school to respond to NCAA allegations against the men’s basketball program.
Thursday marks the 90-day mark since UH received the official notice of allegations in January, the date when a response and announcement of any self-imposed sanctions is due.
Athletic director David Matlin, who officially took office Monday, said the NCAA response was his "big focus" on his first day. "I want to get as good a feel on the NCAA (situation) as possible," Matlin said.
Matlin, who said he has been briefed in recent weeks by school officials, declined comment on specifics.
"This is something we have to do in a careful, thoughtful manner, and Eran’s input is important."
Ganot was announced as UH’s new coach April 9. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday, the same day he returned to Honolulu after a mainland recruiting trip. Also Monday, new assistant coach Adam Jacobsen was to arrive at UH for the first time on the job.
Last week UH officials circulated a draft of the reply that was said to contain some self-imposed sanctions addressing the seven allegations leveled against the program, ranging from extra benefits to impermissible tryouts and "reckless indifference to the NCAA constitution and bylaws."
While a postseason ban was said to be off the table, other sanctions, including forfeiture of games in which ineligible players participated, and reduced practice time and scholarships, were reportedly considered.
UH was reportedly seeking to have at least one of the seven allegations, which all were classified as Level I or II, the most severe, downgraded to a Level III.
Ex-coach Gib Arnold, who was cited in the NCAA allegations, could ask the NCAA for an extension for submitting a response. An attorney for Arnold declined to say if one will be sought.
UH dismissed Arnold and assistant Brandyn Akana on Oct. 28 and subsequently declared star player Isaac Fotu ineligible. Fotu left school and signed with a professional team in Spain.
In its notice, the NCAA has listed UH’s "prompt self-detection and self-disclosure of the violations" as potential mitigating factors when the Committee on Infractions meets to determine potential penalties.
Once UH responds to the allegations, the NCAA has 60 days to reply.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Brian McInnis contributed to this report.