UH may seek help in search for A.D.

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer

The University of Hawai'i might hire an executive search firm to help with the process of selecting its next athletic director.

Paul Costello, UH vice president for external operations, said the school will decide by next week on the details of the search, including whether it will contract for outside help.

"No decision has been made yet; we're still putting together the pieces on that," Costello said.

Hugh Yoshida announced Friday that he will retire in December after nine years of heading UH's 19-sport athletic program.

UH used a consulting firm to assist in the search that brought president Evan Dobelle here. So-called "headhunters" are becoming common in helping to fill athletic positions, including coaching jobs, at major universities, although UH has yet to employ one for an athletic department opening.

Duke, Virginia, Vanderbilt, Southern Methodist and Texas Christian are among the schools that have used firms to fill athletic director openings recently. Texas Tech used one in hiring its football coach, Mike Leach, and its defensive coordinator, Greg McMackin (from UH).

Notre Dame was roundly criticized for not using a firm to check the background of its ill-fated selection, George O'Leary, who was forced to resign as head football coach five days later when discrepancies were discovered in his resume.

Meanwhile, the UH opening is one of only three among the 117 schools that constitute Division IA, said Dutch Baughman, executive director of the Division IA Athletic Directors Association. The others are Clemson and Ball State.

Baughman said word of UH's opening spread quickly at the group's annual meeting in Dallas this week. "The word is out," Baughman said.

Costello said while he was not aware of any formal applications yet, Dobelle has received "a couple recommendations."

In addition to Jim Donovan, UH associate athletic director, and Marilyn Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano, UH assistant athletic director and senior women's administrator, Lenny Klompus said he might also look into the position.

"I'm looking at a lot of different options right now," said Klompus, executive director of the Hula Bowl and former executive director of the Aloha and O'ahu bowls. "I will take a look at what may come when I get back (from the Mainland)."

UH also has reportedly been contacted by people in the community recommending Rick Blangiardi, a former Rainbow football player and coach who once headed KHNL. Blangiardi is currently president of Telemundo, a Spanish-language television network.