Change in hoops staff could cost UH another $135K

The change in men’s basketball coaches at the University of Hawaii could end up costing the athletic department almost $135,000 in additional salaries this season.

UH had been budgeting $650,024 in salaries for a head coach and three assistants this year but now projects it might spend as much as $784,000 in rearranging its staff in the wake of the terminations of head coach Gib Arnold and assistant Brandyn Akana.

They were relieved of their positions Oct. 28 without cause, UH said.

That left just associate head coach Benjy Taylor and assistant Senque Carey.

With Taylor elevated to head coach, athletic director Ben Jay said he is due a stipend for the additional workload.

In addition, UH has promoted Brandon Loyd from volunteer administrative assistant to assistant coach and hired former Marquette assistant Brad Autry. Their hirings are an indication UH will continue to recruit until a permanent head coach is hired.

UH has yet to advertise the head coaching or assistant positions formerly held by Arnold and Akana.

Jay and Taylor said they are in negotiations over the stipend with the expectation that it may be in the $3,000-$3,500 per month range. Taylor was believed to be making approximately $120,000 as associate head coach.

"It (negotiation) is still ongoing," Taylor said. "We haven’t really talked about it. I wanted to get the team taken care of first, get my staff taken care of."

Jay said, "we’re still working on a final number."

In order to make immediate hires, UH officials said Loyd and Autry will come in classified as casual hires on renewable 89-day appointments. Their annualized salaries are $54,000 and $80,004, respectively.

Meanwhile, under the terms of their contracts, UH is obligated to pay Arnold and Akana through the June 30 conclusion of their deals, a reported $250,000 total.