UH planning to extend Arnold’s contract

The University of Hawaii does not plan to wait on the findings of an NCAA investigation before extending the contract of men’s basketball coach Gib Arnold, officials said Wednesday.

"It could be months before we know what really happens with this NCAA (investigation)," said athletic director Ben Jay, who confirmed he is in negotiations with Arnold’s attorney.

"I think we have to move ahead with the future of the program, so we’re talking about the extension," Jay said. "Let me just leave it at that."

The NCAA was on campus in March for interviews, meeting with at least six people. But over the past month, the NCAA has apparently expanded its inquiry beyond the scope of the original document, people familiar with the situation said. The NCAA was said to be still conducting phone interviews this week, but a source indicated the interviews are nearing completion.

Arnold, who has been offered a multi-year extension with what has been described as a "slight bump" in pay, is among 12 head coaches UH said it has tendered term sheets. At least half are said to have already signed the sheets agreeing to terms in principle.

Arnold’s current three-year agreement is scheduled to expire June 30. It pays him an annual salary of $344,000 per year plus bonuses, $50,000 of which is classified as an "overload" payment "from university-solicited donations," according to the contract.

Should UH fail to reach an agreement on a multi-year extension with Arnold, the coach is still owed a one-year rollover of his current contract because the Rainbow Warriors reached the 20-win plateau in 2013-14 a performance-based stipulation included by former athletic director Jim Donovan.

Arnold’s first UH term sheet in 2010 became mired in bureaucracy and went uncompleted for more than 10 months. By that time his first team had gone 19-13 and he gained the leverage to receive a $104,000 raise and three-year extension.

The NCAA has been investigating aspects of the men’s basketball program since shortly after an "addition" to a document regarding a foreign recruit was discovered by the athletic department in January.

Missouri transfer Stefan Jankovic of Ontario was the only player added during that period.

Assistant coach Brandyn Akana was held out of 12 of the team’s final 14 games following an internal investigation.

Arnold said at the time Akana’s absences were "absolutely nothing."

Besides the UH coaching staff, two players leaving the program, Keith Shamburger and Caleb Dressler, were previously confirmed as targets for NCAA interviews.

Asked if Arnold and members of his coaching staff were to be re-interviewed this week once player interviews were completed, Jay declined comment.

An NCAA spokeswoman said in an email, "Due to rules put in place by the membership, we cannot comment on current, pending or potential investigations."