Eran Ganot was introduced as the University of Hawaii men’s basketball coach April 9 and since that time we’ve been told that his contract is "almost done."
Word, time and again, has been, according to UH officials, that the major terms have long been completed and "there are just some small language issues left to tie up."
To which we are left to wonder, if that has indeed been the case, then what language are they writing it in, Aramaic?
Even by UH standards six months is a long time. Especially for a rookie head coach’s deal. If volleyball coach Dave Shoji’s contracts don’t take this long then what, possibly, can be the hang-up? Fact is there shouldn’t be any at this late date.
Which is why you sense a growing frustration level in some quarters at UH and bewilderment in others.
Now would be a good time to get it done for a lot of reasons, beyond the fact that the basketball season starts in two weeks.
One of the biggest is that the State House Committee on Higher Education, chaired by Rep. Isaac Choy (D, Manoa), has scheduled an informational briefing Tuesday at the capitol on the subject of UH contracts.
These days, as recent headlines remind us, contracts are not one of UH’s many areas of laudable endeavor. Coaches contracts in particular have become an ATM for the recipients and it would behoove the school not to give lawmakers more material for examination.
Especially while UH is in the process of cutting the first installments of $700,000 in checks to former men’s basketball coach Gib Arnold and his attorneys.
That whole painful and expensive chapter, you might remember, began with Arnold operating through his first season without a complete and executed contract. Somebody in Bachman Hall dragged his feet and one thing led to another, taking UH to the bank, again.
Maybe Ganot’s East Coast agent wants the now-infamous without cause firing clause in Arnold’s contract, better known as the megabucks parachute, reprized in his client’s deal. And, who could blame him?
Or, perhaps, in wake of University of Louisville revelations there is a no-hooker-for-recruits addendum being fashioned.
If the length of the contract (three years) and money (in the $200,000 neighborhood) were agreed upon back in April as the parties have steadfastly maintained, that shouldn’t have left too many areas to parse over. Certainly nothing requiring six months of on and off haggling.
Some international peace deals and trade agreements don’t take that long.
The bottom line is that UH has the coach it has insisted it wanted and Ganot has the job he has maintained he longed for and remains passionate about.
At some point — and today would finally be a good one — somebody at UH needs to stand up and say, "Look, here’s what we believe to be a fair and equitable contract with major terms that you agreed upon when you took the job. Your choice: Sign it — or not."
Chances are signatures would be quickly forthcoming all around.
Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.
