The University of Hawai‘i has narrowed its search for a new head baseball coach to four candidates, according to a report aired last night on KHON Channel 2 News.
The finalists are Brigham Young assistant David "Boy" Eldredge, a former head coach at Hawai‘i Pacific University; Arizona State head coach Pat Murphy; and assistant coaches Mike Trapasso of Georgia Tech and Turtle Thomas of Louisiana State, according to the KHON report.
Contacted last night, UH athletic director Hugh Yoshida reiterated his earlier statement to the Advertiser that no final decision has been made.
Murphy, Trapasso and Thomas were identified as top coaching prospects by Baseball America. Trapasso and Thomas were the top two assistants named.
Murphy, a former head coach at Notre Dame, has a career record of 605-294-3. He has been at Arizona State for six years, leading the Sun Devils to the postseason in three of the past four seasons, including an appearance in the 1998 College World Series national championship game.
Trapasso has served as Georgia Tech’s pitching coach and recruiting coordinator for six seasons. A standout pitcher for Oklahoma State in the 1980s, he has also served as an assistant at Missouri (1989-91) and South Florida (1991-1994).
Thomas has spent his 25-year career as an assistant at some of the top college programs: Clemson (1978-1985), Georgia Tech (1986-87), Miami (1988-99) and LSU (2000-present).
Eldredge, a Punahou School graduate and HPU coach from 1990-’95, was an assistant at Loyola Marymount for two years before joining his alma mater. As first assistant coach, Eldredge handles BYU’s scheduling, coordinates recruiting, and coaches the team’s pitchers and catchers.
Eldredge said he interviewed for the position on Jan. 15, but has not yet heard anything from UH.
"I know there are some big names involved," Eldredge said. "I just hope (UH) sees the advantage that having a local coach can have in recruiting and working with people in the community.
"When we left five years ago, it was to gain experience for this job," he added.
According to a source, interviews have been conducted by a panel that includes Yoshida, associate AD Jim Donovan, former state senator Mike McCartney, baseball broadcaster Don Robbs and local businessmen Don Takaki and Duane Kurisu.
