Wilton expecting BYU call

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i men's volleyball coach Mike Wilton obliged a fan's request for an autograph during last night's booster club banquet in Waikiiki. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

While insisting he wants "to stay in Hawai'i," Wilton said, if asked, he would agree to meet with BYU officials.

In January, Carl McGown decided to resign at the end of the recently completed season. At the time, McGown told only a few of his decision. Soon after, BYU officials asked Wilton, who is a close friend of McGown, if he would be interested in the job.

Wilton, who was without a contract at the time, told BYU officials he would not discuss any other job situation until the end of the season. Since then, he received a UH contract that expires Aug. 15, a week shy of the 10th anniversary of the day he was hired as UH's head coach.

Wilton has sought multi-year contracts since his three-year deal expired in May 2000. Instead, he received retroactive one-year contracts.

UH athletic director Hugh Yoshida last night praised Wilton's accomplishments and indicated that the school would like to discuss a long-term deal.

"Winning the national championship speaks a lot about his coaching ability," Yoshida said. "I understand he has publicly said he would be willing to visit with BYU. We'd like to sit down with him and discuss his future with the University of Hawai'i. We'd like him to finish his career with us."

Wilton said his preference is to remain in Hawai'i, where four of his grandchildren live. Wilton and his wife own a house in Hilo. He also said he has several goals remaining for the volleyball program.

Four years ago, Wilton turned down an offer to join McGown's staff as an assistant, with the understanding he would be the heir apparent when McGown eventually retired. Wilton is a member of the Mormon church, which administers BYU.

Wilton said faith will factor in his decision.

"But I don't want that to be construed as I'll go to a church school," he said. "In all decisions, I always seek counsel with the Lord. The impressions I receive will dictate what I do."

Short celebration

Meanwhile, Wilton spent little time celebrating the Warriors' national championship. He awoke at 4:45 yesterday morning, then went for a long run through Kapahulu with his dog. Later, he went through his daily weight training at UH, showered and spent time working in his office.

The Warriors will lose as many as three players. All-America middle blocker Dejan Miladinovic and libero Vernon Podlewski completed their eligibility with Saturday's championship. Middle blocker Rob Drew, who has missed the last two seasons while recovering from colon surgery, earned a medical hardship for this season. But the exemption might be moot, because it appears his eligibility clock might have run out before this season.

UH has filed an appeal with the NCAA, but Wilton said it appears unlikely Drew will be eligible to play next season.

That leaves the Warriors with three middle blockers — Delano Thomas, who factored heavily in the NCAA title match; Brian Nordberg, who started during the middle stretch of the season before ceding his job to Thomas; and Geronimo "JoJo" Chala, who played middle as a sophomore but spent this year as a reserve outside hitter.

Wilton said he hopes Josh Stanhiser, a reserve on UH's basketball team, decides to play volleyball. Wilton made the 6-foot-10 Stanhiser a scholarship offer that, by NCAA rules, expires in two weeks. Wilton has referred to Stanhiser as "our No. 1 draft choice," and believes he has the potential to compete for a starting job in the middle.

If Stanhiser decides to stick with basketball, Wilton said, UH either will go with three middles or recruit a fourth this summer. No middle blocker is currently being recruited.

The top four outside hitters return, and UH recently received a commitment from another one.

Libero up for grabs

UH also is recruiting a setter from Israel to compete with Kimo Tuyay and Daniel Rasay.

Jake Muise, the top backup to Podlewski, and Brennan Velasco, the grandson of famed volleyball coach Pete Velasco, will compete at libero. While the U.S. national team regards Eyal Zimet as a libero, Zimet will remain at outside hitter next season, Wilton said. Zimet's mother is an American, and Zimet, who was raised in Israel, holds dual citizenship.

Podlewski is expected to earn a tryout with the national team, and outside hitter Costas Theocharidis will train with the Greek national team this summer. Theocharidis said he will return for his senior season.

Miladinovic is expected to train with Yugoslavia's national team, but if that does not work out, he will play professionally in Europe. Miladinovic, who already has earned a degree in finance, said he wants to take advantage of his good health.