Wallace wants to stay through 2006-07 season
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Riley Wallace said yesterday he will seek to exercise an option in his contract to remain as head coach of the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team through the 2006-07 season.
WHAT: Introduction of University of Hawai'i men's and women's basketball teams WHERE: Stan Sheriff Center WHEN: Tomorrow. Carnival games and entertainment start at 8 p.m.; introduction of players will begin around midnight. Three-point shootout, slam dunk contest and intrasquad scrimmages will follow introductions. ADMISSION: Free
When the 2004-05 season begins with tomorrow's Midnight Ohana, Wallace will be in the final year of a three-year contract that pays him a base salary of $210,000 per year. The contract started on May 1, 2002, and is scheduled to expire on April 30, 2005.
MIDNIGHT OHANA
However, there is a clause in the contract allowing Wallace to seek an additional two years.
"When I signed it, I said I'd take the extension if things were going right," he said. "And I feel like this program is moving in the right direction."
Of course, the decision is not solely Wallace's. The UH athletic administration and Board of Regents would still have to approve the extension.
According to the current contract, an extension for Wallace must be approved by Jan. 1, 2005.
Because UH is scheduled to begin practices on Saturday, Wallace said his agent, New York-based Jordan Bazant, will handle contract negotiations.
"I've been here 18 years now, and we're winning and getting on (national) TV every year; all that helps," Wallace said. "I think coaches get a feeling when it's time to call it (quits), and I don't quite feel it yet."
This season will be Wallace's 18th as head coach of the Rainbow Warriors. He has a career record of 283-228 at UH, making him by far the winningest coach in the history of the program (Red Rocha is second with a career record of 112-136).
Wallace also has 141 victories against Western Athletic Conference competition. Only Hall of Fame coach Don Haskins of Texas-El Paso has more (262).
"I think what we've done over the last few years is create stability in our program," Wallace said. "My (assistant) coaches have all been here for a while, too. That helps with recruiting because we know what kind of kids we want to bring in and those kids have an idea of what we're about."
In 13 of 17 seasons, Wallace's UH teams have finished with winning records. Last season's 21-12 team was the fifth during his tenure to post 20 or more victories in a season.
Wallace's 'Bows have appeared in three NCAA Tournaments and six NITs. Over the last four seasons, Hawai'i is 84-44 with two appearances in the NCAA Tournament and two in the NIT.
Wallace, who will celebrate his 63rd birthday this month, said he could possibly remain as head coach at UH beyond 2007.
"At this stage, you play it year by year," he said. "If we get on a good run, say we make the NCAA's the next couple years and we continue to bring in kids who are good students and good citizens, why would I want to leave?"
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.
