Wilton asks UH for five-year deal
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
University of Hawai'i men's volleyball coach Mike Wilton is seeking a five-year contract and an increase in an annual salary estimated at $67,500.
Advertiser library photo • April 16, 2001
Wilton made his proposal during yesterday's 50-minute meeting with UH athletic director Hugh Yoshida. The contract Wilton signed last October expired on May 31.
Mike Wilton plans on returning for his 10th season.
Wilton recently reached a tentative agreement to return for his 10th season as UH coach. Details were to be finalized during a June 6 meeting that was postponed until yesterday.
Wilton described yesterday's talks as "good," and that Yoshida will "digest" the proposal. Wilton said Yoshida did not make a counter-offer.
The two will meet again next week.
But Wilton said Yoshida asked that any contract include incentive clauses, such as those covering attendance and a team's academic performance.
"That's not a problem," Wilton said.
UH led the NCAA in attendance this year, and five of its seven starters have grade-point averages of 3.2 or better.
Wilton said he wants to increase attendance by creating more student sections in the Stan Sheriff Center's lower bowl.
He has offered to vacate the eight seats his family holds in the lower bowl. Men's volleyball is one of UH's four profitable sports.
An official of the Hawai'i Government Employees' Association represented Wilton at the meeting.
"We got to present what we wanted," Wilton said. "The ball is in (Yoshida's) court."
Even if his wishes are not granted, Wilton said, he does not anticipate leaving.
"I don't have anywhere else to go," Wilton said. "And, I don't want to go anywhere else."
Wilton also is seeking more security and pay raises for top assistant Tino Reyes and the part-time coach.
Matt Johnson, who started last season as the part-time coach, accepted a full-time coaching job at Utah State. Wilton's son, former UH All-American Aaron Wilton, replaced Johnson on a temporary basis.
