Saying that he "wants to recognize what Laura (Beeman) has meant to the program," University of Hawaii athletic director Ben Jay is expected to offer his women’s basketball coach an extension and a pay raise.
An extension may also be in the works for men’s coach Gib Arnold, whose attorney has met with Jay at least twice, the Star-Advertiser has been told.
Beeman was given a three-year contract worth approximately $130,000 per year when she was hired from USC in 2012, where she had been an assistant coach.
Beeman guided the Rainbow Wahine to a 17-14 record, a share of second place in the Big West (13-5) and the Rainbow Wahine’s first postseason appearance (the WNIT) in a decade.
"She should have won (Big West) Coach of the Year. She did a great job," said Jay, who said he has already met with her. "I’ve seen a lot of good things."
He declined to say how long the extension might be for, adding that he is "still mulling over what the right move is."
The pay range on Beeman’s position is listed at $118,488-$209,784.
Beeman said she was appreciative of Jay’s sentiments, but that her primary concern was keeping her coaching staff intact. She said she decided to promote Mary Wooley from standard assistant to associate head coach for the coming season. Wooley, who worked alongside Beeman at USC, is in charge of Wahine scheduling and recruit coordinating.
"Whatever (Jay) and the Board of Regents decide to do with me, it’s out of my hands," Beeman said with a laugh. "I’m worried about recruiting right now and trying to tweak some offense and defense. So whatever they decide to do, they do. … I’m just glad he’s happy with what I did. I want to continue to be a viable person within the department and try to move the athletics department in the right direction."
Meanwhile, Jay said Arnold’s attorney "did give me some indication of what (terms) Gib was seeking."
Jay declined to disclose the details.
Arnold, who was hired in 2010, was initially given a three-year contract worth $240,000 per season. In 2011, an extension that takes him through June 30, 2014, was granted along with a $104,000 raise. Of the $344,000, salary, $50,000 is to be paid "from university-solicited donations," according to terms of the contract.
Arnold was 17-15 (10-8 Big West) this season and, without an extension, his contract will expire after the 2013-14 season.
By contract, the UH athletic director is required to "engage in good-faith negotiations for a new agreement" for Arnold, but is not obligated to agree to one.
Arnold texted to the Star-Advertiser in response to a query about his contract status: "As per my current contract, negotiations of a new contract shall begin on July 1, 2013, for a period of 60 days."
Jay said he hasn’t had an end-of-the-season meeting with Arnold, who has been out recruiting.
Jay said he is "weighing everything involving the program, not strictly wins and losses. I want to know what is being done for the program, what are the recruiting plans, who are you looking for (in recruiting)."
Arnold is 52-44 in three seasons. The pay range for Arnold’s position is listed at $185,000-$400,000.
"I’m making some tweaks to how we’re doing our coaches’ contracts," said Jay, who was "not a big fan" of provisions like paid appearances for postgame autograph sessions. "I want our coaches to coach, and I want our coaches to take care of their academics and their kids."
He previously told the Star-Advertiser that the men’s hoops program was "on the cliff" of NCAA academic sanctions like lost scholarships or a postseason ban for the 2014-15 season. How the team performs in the soon-to-be-completed spring semester could sway the outcome.
