Committee OKs Coolen contract
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
The Board of Regents' personnel committee has approved a new three-year contract for University of Hawai'i softball coach Bob Coolen.
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The matter will be formally approved at the board's meeting in January. (The board does not meet in December.)
Bob Coolen's record is 381-233-1 in 10 seasons at Hawai'i.
But a contract recommendation for men's volleyball coach Mike Wilton was not brought to the personnel committee. That means that Wilton, who has been without a contract since May 31, will not receive a new deal until mid-February, at the earliest. The Warriors' season starts in January.
"For whatever reason, (the contract) didn't make it there," said Wilton, who agreed to a one-year contract two weeks ago.
Wilton said he signed the contract offer, then forwarded it to his lawyer, John Komeiji. Komeiji sent the offer sheet, without revisions, to UH officials.
UH athletic director Hugh Yoshida declined to comment on the contract situations.
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The contract that Wilton signed in October 2000 expired May 31. He is paid $67,500 annually.
Mike Wilton has been without a contract since May 31.
"It's out of my control," Wilton said. "I'll continue to focus on the team."
Coolen, who earned $48,600 annually, expressed relief at receiving a new contract, which will include a substantial pay raise.
"It really caused me some anguish when recruits asked that question: How many years do you feel you'll be at UH?" Coolen said. "I had to state to them that I wanted to be a part of the system."
Coolen's previous three-year contract expired June 30. His new contract was negotiated by his friend, former Hawai'i Supreme Court Associate Justice Robert Klein.
Coolen has amassed a 381-233-1 record in 10 seasons as UH head coach. His teams have played in the NCAA regional tournament three times in the past four years.
