Former University of Hawaii men’s basketball coach Gib Arnold has been hired as a scout by the Boston Celtics, he said on Tuesday.
Arnold first told friends he will be a western United States scout of college and NBA players for the storied franchise, then told the same to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser upon inquiry.
“My family and I had a marvelous 5 years in Hawaii and leave with many wonderful memories and absolutely no regrets. We will always have a great love for the islands and the people of Hawaii,” Arnold said in a statement to the Star-Advertiser.
He continued: “The Boston Celtics have offered me a position in the organization as their college and NBA scout over the western United States.
“I am excited to work in the NBA and especially for one of the greatest franchises in the history of sports, The Boston Celtics. Their management and leadership are amazing and I am thrilled to be working for such an organization.
“I am looking forward to the new opportunities and the many new working relationships with the Celtics and NBA.”
A spokesman for the Celtics declined immediate comment.
The Arnold family and the Ainges, who are prominent in the Celtics front office, have a long history. Austin Ainge is the Celtics’ director of player personnel and his father, Danny, is president of basketball operations. Danny played at Brigham Young (1977-1981), where Arnold’s father, Frank, was the head coach (1975-83).
Gib Arnold was dismissed without cause Oct. 28, 2014 by UH in the wake of an NCAA investigation into the Rainbow Warriors’ basketball program.
The NCAA investigation eventually resulted in seven allegations against the school in January 2015. The NCAA Committee on Infractions is scheduled to rule on the case next month. Arnold spent four seasons at UH, going 72-55.
UH later announced it was vacating 36 victories from the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons due to ineligible players. Arnold currently has a grievance pending against the school for $1.4 million he claims he is owed under terms of his 2011 contract.
Meanwhile, the school subsequently filed a suit against Arnold claiming it is owed money for a travel advance he received.
