The University of Hawaii said it has not ruled out self-imposing sanctions on its men’s basketball team as it awaits the fallout from an NCAA investigation of the program.
"We’re still working with the lawyers on a response," Manoa Chancellor Robert Bley-Vroman told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s editorial board Tuesday.
"We are still thinking how to respond to that (NCAA) report," Bley-Vroman said. "There are many options open."
Asked if self-imposing a postseason ban was still on the table, Bley-Vroman said, "That, too, is a question that we are working on."
UH plays its final regular-season game Saturday at Cal State Fullerton.
The Big West Conference tournament opens March 12 in Anaheim, Calif.
The NCAA alleged seven violations, including three from Level I, the most severe category, in its Jan. 30 notice of allegations to UH.
The school has 90 days from the notice to respond and can self-impose penalties, including a postseason ban, scholarship restrictions, or coaching or practice time reductions, in an effort to mitigate possible penalties.
The school dismissed former head coach Gib Arnold and assistant Brandyn Akana on Oct 28. It also indefinitely suspended its star player, Isaac Fotu. Fotu subsequently left school and turned pro, playing in Spain.
Meanwhile, Bley-Vroman suggested UH may wait until it hires an athletic director before it fills the head coaching job.
Former associate coach Benjy Taylor has served as head coach since Arnold’s firing. UH is expected to post the opening for a head coach this week. UH officials have said that Taylor will be encouraged to apply.
"It would make sense, if we had a new athletic director soon, we’d certainly want to listen to their advice on the matter," Bley-Vroman said. "On the basketball coach, we don’t need to hire a basketball coach tomorrow. We’ve got some time."