Ah Mow-Santos’ contract includes NCAA tourney bonuses

Under Dave Shoji, going to the NCAA Tournament was so automatic for the University of Hawaii — 24 consecutive years — that his last two contracts did not list an escalating bonus provision for advancing.

But his successor, rookie head coach Robyn Ah-Mow Santos, will receive bonuses that rise as the Rainbow Wahine climb in the tournament, according to terms of her three-year agreement.

The redacted 22-page agreement was released to the Star-Advertiser under the state’s open records act. Execution of the agreement was dated Wednesday, nearly five and a half months after Ah Mow-Santos was announced as Shoji’s successor and just prior to the opening of training camp next Tuesday.

The salary range for Ah Mow-Santos’ position is listed at $76,440-$143,472. Because Ah Mow-Santos is an HGEA member, UH maintains “salaries are not subject to disclosure.”

With the departure of Shoji and Long Beach State’s Brian Gimmillaro, Cal Poly’s Sam Crosson and Cal State Northridge’s Jeff Stork are believed to be the highest-paid coaches in the Big West at $116,000 and $114,000 bases for 2016.

By Board of Regents approval, Shoji’s base salary topped $180,000 in the final years of an agreement that had, until his retirement this year, been scheduled to run through Feb. 28, 2018.

Up until Shoji’s 2004 (through 2008) contract he had bonus provisions for NCAA Tournament advances but thereafter were more base-salary driven as he approached retirement.

Ah Mow-Santos’ contract lists built-in raises each year.

If UH wins the Big West regular-season title, Ah Mow-Santos would be due a bonus of 5 percent of her base salary.

If the Rainbow Wahine reach the NCAA second round, Santos is eligible for a bonus of 5 percent of her base, 10 percent if UH reaches a regional semifinal, 15 percent if UH participates in a regional finale, 20 percent for an NCAA semifinal and 25 percent for an NCAA title.

In addition, she would be eligible for a 5 percent bonus as Big West Conference coach of the year and 10 percent for national coach of the year.

Athletic director David Matlin may withhold bonuses if an NCAA Level I or II violation is reported.