Search to begin for Yoshida's successor
By Catherine E. Toth
and Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writers
University of Hawai'i football coach June Jones emphatically denied any interest in the athletic director's position that will be vacated when Hugh Yoshida retires in December.
"I don't want Hugh Yoshida's job," Jones said during a campus news conference formally announcing Yoshida's intention yesterday. "Don't anyone ask me that."
Jones' denial dowsed growing speculation that UH might offer him the combination coach-AD position as an avenue to present a greatly enhanced contract package. Negotiations are currently at an impasse on an extension to Jones' existing contract which has two years remaining.
But while Jones took himself out of consideration for the job of guiding the $16 million, 19-sport program, UH president Evan Dobelle said he expects to have an ample array of candidates to choose from in addition to associate athletic director Jim Donovan and assistant athletic director (senior woman administrator) Marilyn Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano both said they are strongly considering applying for the job.
"When this (news) goes out ... there's not going to be an associate athletic director or athletic director that doesn't know the position is open," Dobelle said. "I'll be interested to see what happens Monday or Tuesday. I suspect we'll get a whole lot of phone calls."
Dobelle said UH plans to pay approximately $180,000 per year for its next athletic director, which would be about the national average, according to a spokesman for the Division I-A athletic director's association.
"You may get someone to come in for a little less; you may get someone for whom you might have to pay a little more — that's (interim chancellor Deane) Neubauer's decision," Dobelle said.
The 62-year old Yoshida, who has held the position since 1993, reportedly receives $125,000
Dobelle said he'd like to have Yoshida's successor on board this summer in time, if necessary, "to be mentored by Hugh; walked around a little bit by Hugh. That's important."
Dobelle said he expects Neubauer to convene a committee composed of representatives from various constituencies to assist in the selection process.
Former UH football coach Dick Tomey, who has been frequently mentioned as a possible successor to Yoshida, did not rule out a candidacy but said he is still pursuing several options. "I have a strong interest in coaching football (again); I have a strong interest in broadcasting ... I'm pondering a lot of possibilities," Tomey said.
Western Athletic Conference commissioner Karl Benson declined comment on possible interest in the job, but indications are he will not pursue the position.
"However, I will say that I am interested in who does end up in the chair because it is an important piece of how the WAC does business," Benson said.
Dobelle said Yoshida discussed the possibility of retiring last month and informed his family of the decision last week.
Dobelle informed the Board of Regents of Yoshida's decision Thursday.
"We're happy for him because it is something he wants to do," said Leslie Lawton, Yoshida's daughter. "But it's sad because we love all the sports. We've been so involved."
