UH's Wallace has agent to handle contract talks

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

HOUSTON — Riley Wallace would like nothing better than to sign a new five-year contract to remain as head coach for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team.

He's just a little busy with something right now.

Like leading this year's team into first place in the Western Athletic Conference. So instead ...

"I've hired an agent to handle my contract stuff because I don't want to get into it myself right now," Wallace said. "I want to get something done, but it's the middle of the season and I don't want that to bother me. I was actually hoping it would be done before the season."

Wallace declined to name his agent, saying only "he's from the East coast," and also did not want to reveal the terms of the contract he would be seeking.

On Wednesday, UH athletic director Hugh Yoshida said Wallace's current contract will likely expire in April before negotiations begin. Wallace does not want to wait until then because "that takes away your bargaining power."

The UH Board of Regents last week approved new incentive clauses for Wallace's current contract. His base salary is $108,900, although a proposal to increase that to $120,000 was also expected to be approved.

• Aloha wear provided by: Two silk Tommy Bahama aloha shirts from the posh Saks Fifth Avenue store: $210.

Crucial road victory at Rice: Priceless.

In a last-minute attempt to find some Hawaiian luck, Wallace went shopping for an aloha shirt on Wednesday. Usually, he wears aloha shirts only for home games, and dress shirts on the road.

"My wife said I should try to wear an aloha shirt and even (UH president) Evan Dobelle suggested it to me," Wallace said. "So I figured I might as well."

Only problem was the 'Bows were in Houston.

After a futile search through several other stores, Wallace managed to find a Tommy Bahama section at Saks, and paid $105 each for two different shirts.