UH should keep its options open in basketball search

The University of Hawaii’s plan to begin advertising the head basketball coaching position is some of the best off-the-court news about the program’s future to emerge from Manoa in a while. 

Officials said the posting should go up this week. 

Ideally, of course, it would have tipped off weeks — if not months — ago, but finally there is some sign of direction for a program that has spent much of the past year under the cloud of the NCAA investigation. And, if we’re talking ideal here, the new athletic director would already be in place to make the call. 

The hope is that the Rainbow Warriors will finish these last two regular-season games, including Wednesday’s senior night appearance, with a strong leap into the postseason. 

But while the final acts of this turbulent season play out, it is important that reasoned, big-picture thought is given to the future. 

Opening up the head coaching position to the widest possible array of candidates to lead it forward is one necessary step in that direction.

Benjy Taylor, who took over in an interim capacity after Gib Arnold was dismissed Oct. 28,  should be commended for rallying the team under beyond-trying circumstances and getting a good, sustained effort out of his players in this, so far, 19-11 (7-7 Big West Conference) season.

Some suggest that Taylor should immediately be given the reins for a multi-year term in appreciation. That’s emotion talking and UH history tells us that too often we listen to what makes a good story line rather than common sense.

What UH needs as it digs out from under its transgressions is the kind of clear and exacting thought that has been long absent when evaluating this program.

More than a month ago Taylor turned down the offer of a one-year extension that would have taken him through the 2015-16 season at an annual salary of approximately $190,000. 

Since then it has behooved UH to open things up with a national search in time for the annual reshuffling of the coaching profession this month.

If Taylor emerges from the search process as the best candidate — and UH officials say he will be encouraged to apply — he can get the job.

But there is no percentage in UH continuing to pace the floor or failing to thoroughly investigate all its options. 

Be assured, it will have several.

Fact is, the men’s basketball coaching job, more so than the AD position that just began its interview process, has plenty to recommend itself once the NCAA is satisfied UH is back on the straight and narrow. 

The Stan Sheriff Center, salaries, scheduling benefits and potential to win combine to make it the most attractive job in the Big West Conference. Proof of which is that several coaches in the conference will likely look into the position.

“That (job) is the opening of the door of opportunity for someone,” said one well-regarded coach in the conference.

But UH will be attractive beyond the Big West footprint because it is widely viewed as a place where the surface has only been scratched on what is possible.

Putting itself in a position to reach those possibilities is overdue.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.