This one was more of a formality, but there is now at least one official candidate to become the next head coach of the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team.

Bob Nash said yesterday he will apply for the position, once the job opening is posted by UH officials.

"When the job is posted, yes, I will apply," said Nash, who is currently the associate coach for the Rainbow Warriors.

Current head coach Riley Wallace announced on Friday that his resignation will go into effect after this season. Wallace's contract will expire April 30.

Nash has been an assistant or associate coach during the entire Wallace tenure, which is in its 20th season. In fact, Nash had already been an assistant coach for three seasons when Wallace was named head coach in 1987.

"I have a great love for this university, and I would love to have the opportunity to take over a program that has been such a big part of my life," Nash said.

Nash is also one of Hawai'i's all-time great players, a starter on the storied "Fabulous Five" teams of the early 1970s. He still holds several of Hawai'i's rebounding records, and was a first round NBA Draft pick in 1972.

Wallace is endorsing Nash as his successor.

During the press conference to announce his resignation Friday, Wallace pointed to Nash and said: "The next coach at the University of Hawai'i should be sitting right there, Bob Nash. And don't try to make him into Riley Wallace, because trust me, he ain't. He's better."

Nash also has the support of the current Rainbow Warriors. Twelve players on this season's roster are eligible to return, including Nash's son, Bobby.

"If it's not going to be Coach Wallace, it has to be Coach Nash," junior guard Matt Gibson said on Friday.

Hawai'i athletic director Herman Frazier said Friday that the head coaching position would be advertised "sometime in February."

WALLACE STILL IN ACTIVE COACHING FORM

If any of the Hawai'i players thought Wallace would be mellow after announcing his resignation Friday, they were in for a surprise during yesterday's practice.

Wallace gave the team a day off from practice Friday because of his scheduled press conference. At yesterday's two-hour practice, he set off his version of verbal fireworks.

"I'm still the same; I feel great," Wallace said. "(Friday) is over, so we're back at it. I got on the guys (yesterday) because we need to be ready for this trip. It has nothing to do with what happened (Friday)."

The 'Bows will depart tomorrow for Las Cruces, N.M. Hawai'i will open the Western Athletic Conference season with road games at New Mexico State on Thursday, and at Louisiana Tech on Saturday.

"This is a tough trip because it's long and you have the altitude," Wallace said. "So it's important for us to get in two good practices before we leave."

Senior forward and co-captain Ahmet Gueye said the team was upset about Wallace's announcement Friday, but by yesterday, it was behind them.

"He told us what was going on, and he gave his press conference, so now we have to focus on the rest of the season," Gueye said.

"It's going to be emotional at the end of the year, but there's still a lot of games before that and that's what we have to focus on."

GUEYE READY TO PLAY ON THE WAC ROAD

Gueye returned to practice yesterday after sitting out Thursday's 66-53 victory over Tennessee-Martin.

Gueye's injured right knee has been bothering him all season, although last Thursday was the first time this season he could not play in a game.

"It's like good days and bad days," he said. "Sometimes, I feel like I don't even have an injury. But other days, my leg feels heavy and the swelling is back and it's aching. It's something I have to deal with the whole year."

There is added concern this week because the 'Bows will be making a long trip from Honolulu to Las Cruces tomorrow. After playing New Mexico State on Thursday, the 'Bows will fly from Las Cruces to Ruston, La., on Friday for a Saturday game at Louisiana Tech.

"What you worry about the most is that knee swelling up because of the travel," Wallace said. "But he's going to play. He has to play. I think everybody can see we're a different team without him in there."

Gueye is averaging 11.8 points and a team-high 7.6 rebounds per game.

"It was harder for me to sit on the bench (last Thursday); I was dying just sitting and watching," he said. "Even though we were winning the whole game, I was worried the whole time and I wanted to be out there."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.