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FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARADVERTISER.COM
University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine head coach Dana Takahara-Dias.
LAS VEGAS >> Dana Takahara-Dias was not retained as Hawaii women’s basketball coach by UH athletic director Jim Donovan following her team’s 63-54 loss to Louisiana Tech in the WAC tournament first round today.
Donovan notified the third-year coach after the game. UH went 11-19 for the second straight year (6-8 in WAC games). Takahara-Dias finished with an overall record of 32-58.
Her original three-year contract expired after this season, but it was thought that Takahara-Dias could earn an extension with a win or two at UH’s final WAC tournament.
"The evaluation happens all season long and it’s happened since she was hired," Donovan said. "Dana’s done some marvelous things off the court with this team. She’s really taught them how to be young women, how to be selfless, how to give back to the community.
"But the on-the-court performance just wasn’t there, and there wasn’t any improvement. So after the game I let her know that her contract wouldn’t be renewed. I told her that I thought she’d want to know and not be left lingering, and gave her the opportunity to tell her staff and the team."
Takahara-Dias took the podium for the WAC postgame press conference after she was notified. She was outwardly stoic and answered questions about the game, but declined to discuss her future and conversation with Donovan.
Donovan said the search for a new coach would begin "tonight or tomorrow" and that he hoped a hire could be made "optimally … in about three to four weeks."
