The University of Hawaii was scheduled to begin the interview phase of its search for a new athletic director Friday, according to a member of the search advisory committee.

The committee member would not say who the leadoff interviewees were. Late Friday a UH spokesman was unable to say who — or how many — candidates have been interviewed.

A leading in-house candidate, associate athletic director John McNamara, declined comment Friday on his interview, referring questions to committee chair Warren Haruki and the school’s executive search coordinator, Michele Tom, an ex-officio member.

Additional interviews are expected next week as UH apparently seeks to speed up a process that was initially designed to produce a successor to Ben Jay "no later than mid-year."

Earlier UH began issuing interview invitations to what an official described as "several" candidates.

Indications are that a list of "over 70" applicants, according to UH’s last public statement, has been whittled to about a fifth of that number as members began culling out those who failed to meet the posted minimum standards. UH is also said to have taken "nominations" for the position.

UH had said it expected to begin interviews in early March, with finalists "being further vetted during the latter part of March."

Jay announced his resignation on Dec. 9 but has continued to serve as UH seeks a successor. An eight-member search advisory committee was convened Jan. 13 by Manoa Chancellor Robert Bley-Vroman.