UH's Coolen, Wilton agree to new deals
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
After months of negotiations, University of Hawai'i men's volleyball coach Mike Wilton and softball coach Bob Coolen have agreed to new contracts with the school's athletic department.
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The previous contract Wilton signed in October 2000 expired May 31. Coolen had been without a deal since his previous three-year contract expired June 30.
UH softball coach Bob Coolen is 381-233-1.
"Countries have been formulated and demised in the amount of time this took," Wilton said, smiling.
Wilton and Coolen declined to announce financial details of their contracts, but both are expected to receive substantial raises and bonus incentives. Last year, Wilton earned $67,500 and Coolen $50,000.
UH athletic director Hugh Yoshida said he will not comment on their situations until after the Board of Regents rules on the two contracts at its meeting next week on Kaua'i. While their contracts are not listed on the agenda, an executive-committee meeting is scheduled Thursday to discuss pay incentives for coaches.
This was the second year in a row that Wilton's contract lapsed. In June, he agreed to return for a 10th season as UH head coach. In August, he agreed in principle to a contract offer, then later changed his mind, saying he would seek a multi-year contract. But Wilton said Yoshida "wasn't willing to budge on that."
In agreeing to a one-year contract, Wilton said, negotiations can begin to increase assistant coach Tino Reyes' salary. Wilton said Reyes, who has four children, earns $36,000 annually.
"He needs some kind of a livable wage," Wilton said.
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Wilton also said his son, Aaron Wilton, a former UH volleyball player, was hired as a part-time assistant. Aaron Wilton, who teaches at the Loveland Academy, was an emergency hire when Matt Johnson left the team early last season.
Mike Wilton is in his 10th season at Hawai'i.
Wilton said he signed his new contract Wednesday, then forwarded it to his attorney, John Komeiji.
"I love this team," Wilton said. "I would say I'm very pleased to work with these young men again."
Men's volleyball is one of UH's four profitable athletic programs. The others are football, men's basketball and Wahine volleyball.
Coolen, who rejected a one-year offer in July, signed his contract this week.
"I have agreed to a contract, but that's all I can say," Coolen said. "I won't do anything or say anything until Hugh actually follows through with what he's supposed to do with the principal contract."
Coolen has amassed a 381-233-1 record in 10 years as UH head coach. His teams have played in the NCAA regional tournament three times in the past four years.
