Posted on: Tuesday, May 14, 2002

UH's Wilton, BYU to meet tomorrow

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i men's volleyball coach Mike Wilton will meet with Brigham Young University officials tomorrow to discuss the Cougars' vacant head coaching job.

Wilton and his wife, Ku'ulei, are scheduled to leave tonight for Provo, Utah.

Wilton's contract with UH expires Aug. 15. Last week, he met with UH officials to discuss a multi-year contract.

"The discussions I've had with Hawai'i have been very satisfactory," Wilton said. "We spoke in generalities, but the generalities were good."

Wilton said he is "appreciative" of UH officials for allowing him to honor a promise to meet with BYU athletic director Val Hale. In January, when Wilton was without a contract from UH, he was asked to interview as the possible successor to Carl McGown, who announced he was retiring at the end of the 2002 season. Wilton said he would not discuss the matter until the end of the season, which culminated with the Warriors winning the national championship.

"I've listened to Hawai'i and I'll listen to BYU, then I'll sort everything out," said Wilton, who expects to make a decision next week.

Wilton, who earns more than $70,000 annually, said money is not an issue, although "I'm not willing to live in a tent somewhere. I want to be able to take care of my family and be there for my (four) grandchildren."

He said any agreement would need to include a pay raise for long-time assistant Tino Reyes, who has four children.

Wilton said he does not know if he is the leading candidate for the BYU job. He also declined to say which school has the edge.

"I'm going to reserve judgment," he said. "Certainly what we've done over the past 10 years weighs heavily on us, and the success of this year and family being here are huge pluses."

Wilton is a high priest in the Mormon church, which administers BYU. The church's affiliation is BYU's "attraction for me, to be real frank. It has nothing to do with volleyball. It has to do with religion."

Wilton, 58, was 29 when he joined the Mormon church. He earned a bachelor's degree at BYU-Hawai'i, where he played volleyball, and a master's at BYU.