UH adds urgency to its coaching search

Time is of the essence in the University of Hawaii’s decision on its next head basketball coach — a reality reflected in UH’s decision to move up the closing date for applications to Thursday.

When the hoops job post went up on UH’s website four days ago to coincide with the introduction of new athletic director David Matlin, the application period was listed to last until April 13. But that changed Friday, and UH can now begin interviews 11 days sooner.

UH administration did so because it was concerned about April 13’s proximity to April 15, the start of the spring signing period for recruits. The other reason? Losing out on prospective applicants worried about a late closing date. Several other programs in need of a new coach have had head starts.

Matlin, who is involved in the basketball search in a volunteer capacity until he officially starts his new position on April 27, has been encouraged by the early returns.

"I don’t have an exact quantity, but I know we’ve gotten quite a few," Matlin said Saturday. "I’m very pleased with the pool. A lot of head coaches, solid assistants. It seems like to me, so far it’s approximately 40 or 50. And they’re coming in all the time."

Benjy Taylor, who just led UH to a 22-13 record on an interim basis, said his application has been "hand delivered."

Matlin said applications may still be accepted after Thursday, but that is when interviews will start.

Matlin will be at the Final Four in Indianapolis, which starts Saturday. He said he might meet with candidates there, but wants to make sure he has a consistent interview process in place.

Coaches across the country regularly convene at the Final Four for networking opportunities.

"It’s an opportunity that I’m going to be at the Final Four, and if we can use it, that would be great," Matlin said.

Names of interested parties are beginning to emerge.

Former UH assistant coach Eran Ganot declined comment when reached by phone Saturday, but people close to him say he has strong interest in the position and is expected to apply.

Ganot, 33, has served as a top assistant with Saint Mary’s for the past five years, and has been part of a successful run of eight straight NCAA or NIT appearances for the Gaels. Prior to that, he served under Bob Nash at UH for three seasons and was on staff with Riley Wallace as a director of operations. Ganot’s Hawaii ties remain strong; he’s returned to the islands every summer since taking the Saint Mary’s job, and is said to have the blessing of SMC head coach Randy Bennett to pursue the job.

Other possible candidates said to have strong interest are Columbia head coach Kyle Smith — who was runner-up to Gib Arnold in UH’s 2010 coaching search — and Marshall assistant Scott Rigot, a former UH assistant under Wallace with stops at Kentucky, UAB and South Carolina.

Former UH guard Phil Handy, a player development coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers, has also expressed interest. "It looks like I will" apply, he said.

Local interest extends beyond Taylor. Chaminade coach Eric Bovaird said he’s going for it.

"I’m incredibly interested in the UH job," said Bovaird, who led the Silverswords to the PacWest tournament championship in 2014. "My boss (Bill Villa) knows, he would love for me to get that job if I ever had the chance. … He said, ‘That’s the big team in town. If you ever get the chance to coach there, we’ll let you go over there.’ "

It is to be determined if UH will use a full search advisory committee for the job. Matlin has met with associate AD Carl Clapp and Paula Nishimoto in human resources to hammer out a plan.

"My take right now is, you want to set up a process that’s as efficient as possible," Matlin said. "Now, whether that means we have an advisory committee, we’re working through that as we speak, the mechanics of that and the best way to do it. We’re looking for efficiency, but at the end of the day, to be effective and to hire the best coach."