University of Hawaii-Manoa chancellor Robert Bley-Vroman and athletic director Ben Jay announced Tuesday that Norm Chow would return for his fourth season as head coach of the Rainbow Warriors football team. 

Although Chow has two seasons remaining on a five-year contract, both UH leaders said the public affirmation was necessary. 

“There’s been a lot of public rumors about Norm,” Bley-Vroman said, “and we felt it would be best to make it clear what the situation is. The normal thing would be to continue the contract, anyway. Ordinarily, one wouldn’t even bother to make an announcement. But, frankly, from the e-mail(s), from the discussions, from the rumors, the press, we felt it was important to dispel those unfounded rumors that there somehow was a plan to buy him out. There is no such play. It’s important be clear about that.”

The Warriors were 4-9 in 2014 and 8-29 in Chow’s three seasons as head coach. 

His contract pays $550,000 annually. He is guaranteed the full $550,000 for the 2015 season. The buyout pricetag is $200,000 for the 2016 season. 

Jay said “4-9 is not successful,” but he praised Chow’s interaction with players, and the team’s success in the classroom and graduation rates. Jay also said the Warriors’ recent recruiting success “should continue.”

 Chow, who did not attend the news conference, was not available for comment.