The search advisory committee to select a new University of Hawaii-Manoa athletic director will "discuss" the recommendations of the coaches, Manoa Chancellor Tom Apple said Friday.

Sixteen of 18 head coaches signed a letter that went to UH officials Wednesday recommending the school "consider immediately appointing Rockne Freitas as our athletic director."

Freitas, who has served as acting AD since July 11, has said he would not apply for the permanent position. A UH spokesman said Friday afternoon that the school would release a statement on Freitas’ behalf but four hours later said the statement would not be forthcoming.

Meanwhile, three committee members who signed the letter urging Freitas’ appointment — Norm Chow, Dave Shoji and Laura Beeman — will apparently remain on the committee. UH said Chow will co-chair the committee with former Board of Regents chair Howard Karr.

Apple did not say when the committee will hold its first meeting, but, in a statement, said, "it is important that we bring the athletics director search advisory committee together as soon as possible."

Apple had told coaches and staff last week that the search could take until January to name a successor to Jim Donovan, who was reassigned to an as-yet-unnamed position in the Manoa chancellor’s office.