Tomey, Donovan are finalists for UH AD

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer

Dick Tomey and Jim Donovan, two candidates with strong local connections, remain in the running for the athletic director's job at the University of Hawai'i.

A member of the 18-person selection committee said the pair are "still in the mix" of finalists to succeed Hugh Yoshida, who retires this year.

People familiar with the search say the process is still fluid with at least one finalist, whose name wasn't disclosed, having dropped out.

Tomey and Donovan are said to be the only candidates still under consideration who do not have athletic director experience.

A seven-member group composed of members of the UH administration and search committee is to interview a group of four to five finalists this weekend in Dallas. Barring any surprises, the process could be wrapped up in time to present to the board of regents at their next meeting, June 21.

Tomey and Donovan, who have already been interviewed by UH's search firm, Eastman & Beaudine, were not scheduled to be part of the Dallas group but could be brought back for further interviews next week.

Tomey and Donovan have declined to comment on their candidacies.

Tomey, 63, is the winningest head coach in UH's intercollegiate history at 63-46-3. He coached the Warriors from 1977-86 before going to Arizona, where he resigned in 2000. Last season he was the analyst on K5's UH football telecasts.

Tomey has a bachelor's degree in economics from DePauw University and a master's in education from Miami of Ohio.

Donovan, 42, played for Tomey at UH from 1981-1982 as an offensive lineman. He has been in UH athletic administration for 14 years, the last seven year as associate athletic director.

Donovan has a bachelor's degree in geography and a master's in business administration from UH.