Speculation abounded earlier this week that Keith Amemiya or David Matlin could be announced as the University of Hawaii’s new athletic director at Thursday’s meeting of the Board of Regents at Kapiolani Community College.
But that was not the case, as Manoa chancellor Robert Bley-Vroman did brief the regents on the search, but the closed-door executive session did not include a selection.
Afterward, Bley-Vroman repeated UH’s stance that he would name current AD Ben Jay’s replacement by the end of the month.
"We’re on schedule," the chancellor said. "I’m confident we will make some kind of announcement (by March 31)."
Sources have told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that Amemiya and Matlin have emerged as the finalists from around 70 candidates who applied or were nominated for the post.
Matlin’s name was the only one forwarded to Bley-Vroman by a search advisory committee, according to sources. Amemiya was not interviewed by the committee, but he was seen with the chancellor on campus last week.
BOR chairman Randolph Moore declined to provide details from the briefing and other regents were instructed not to speak to reporters. But he said the board has no complaints, and he has none about the timeline although the search has been ongoing since January.
"It’s fair to say the regents are satisfied with the process. It’s been done with thought and integrity and we’re satisfied with where we are today," Moore said. "Speaking personally, if you look at how long it took for the (UH) president search that was about a year and that’s not abnormal. About three months is remarkably fast. … It’s quite quick, although some think it should be quicker."
One of UH athletics’ most pressing issues is hiring of a permanent men’s basketball coach; Benjy Taylor has been interim since last November.
"I appreciate the issue," Moore said. "But getting the right person (for athletic director) is clearly most important."
Jay’s pay is $293,016 per year. It is not known yet if the BOR will need to approve a higher salary.
"We don’t have the chancellor’s proposal yet," Moore said.
There was just one hint about any specific content of the briefing.
"As the chancellor said, (UH sports) is a community program not just a campus program," Moore said.
