First year ‘harder than I thought’ says UH’s Matlin
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL/CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
University of Hawaii Athletic Director David Matlin.
David Matlin was named the University of Hawaii athletic director March 25, 2015. The men’s basketball team didn’t have a permanent coach and the women’s coach, Laura Beeman, was being courted by Utah.
On April 9 — more than two weeks before Matlin officially started at UH — Eran Ganot was hired to coach the men. On the same day, Beeman told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser she was staying. “The reason is I like what David Matlin is doing. I’m not driven by money,” she said.
Many questioned the Ganot hire because the Rainbows almost got to the NCAA Tournament under interim coach Benjy Taylor. But in Ganot’s first season completed last week they took the Big West regular-season and tournament championships, and then won an NCAA tourney game for the first time in school history.
“I couldn’t be prouder of both teams,” Matlin said Saturday, in agreement that the hoops success was the highlight of his first year. “It’s been a little fatiguing, but special. And it points out the opportunity we have to be uplifting to the state. It’s hard to quantify that. The best things in Hawaii are free but priceless.”
The presence in both NCAA tournaments was timely as legislation designed to relieve some of UH’s financial problems is headed down the home stretch at the state capitol. Senate Bill 83 requests $3 million for UH’s (and its opponents’) travel costs that would come from state funds now controlled by the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
The HTA doesn’t “see the nexus” between its tourism marketing goals and “paying for UH travel expenses,” HTA president George Szigeti said. But UH’s NCAA games alone added up to six hours of national exposure for Hawaii.
“It’s my first go-round with this (legislative) process,” Matlin said. “I feel good, that we’re getting our story out there about the value of athletics among a lot of competing priorities.”
Hoops wasn’t all positive in Matlin’s first year, and fallout lingers from the NCAA investigation of the men’s team. UH now must deal with probation. It includes reduced scholarships and a one-year suspension from postseason play, pending an appeal that may come too late to keep the core of the team at UH.
As it was with the pick of Ganot, not all were happy with Matlin’s selection of a new football coach. Spring practice starts this week and Nick Rolovich will be under the microscope; June Jones still has supporters who believe he was an obvious choice to revive a program mired in the dumps of five straight losing seasons.
As he did with basketball, Matlin did what he thinks is best for the long-term.
“I’m very excited with his energy, with what he’s done so far in the offseason,” Matlin said of Rolovich. “I think people in our department are excited and there’s a value to that.”
The firing of Norm Chow that created that opening was an easy call for armchair ADs. The actual execution was anything but for Matlin.
“Yes, the human element. It’s difficult when you respect and like the person,” he said. “That was hard. Obviously it’s harder on the person (being fired).”
Matlin said it was the lowest low in a roller-coaster year.
“After a year, I found the job is harder than I thought it would be,” he said. “And I thought it would be hard.”
Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. His blog is at Hawaiiwarriorworld.com/quick-reads.
25 responses to “First year ‘harder than I thought’ says UH’s Matlin”
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I wondered about Dave Matlin’s selection, but he’s proven that he was the right choice. All of the teams are doing well and we are going to find out about football under Rolovich. Yesterday’s men’s volleyball and baseball were unbelievable wins with both teams coming from behind to win. Hoping the positive winning carries over to football.
No. 5 Wahine Beach Volleyball also went undefeated at the Stetson Invitational in Florida, closing the weekend by beating No 2 Florida State 4-1, and No. 10 Florida International 4-1.
One major challenge is creating a fan base that supports the teams win or lose. HAWAII fans tend to be fickle and cancel season tickets and call for firings if a winner is not quickly produced. If you take a look at big schools across the nation, USC, Nebraska, Georgia, etc. they’ve had their down years, and coaches have gotten fired, but the fans keep gong to the games. They support the teams, win or lose.
One of the reasons why the big schools across the nation have loyal fan bases are 1. They have a tradition of consistently winning, so even when they are down they expect to win. 2. When they don’t win, the university does something about it. They don’t let things go to hell. They upgrade facilities, and have expectations of excellence. They don’t sit and debate whether D-2 makes sense.
Then I say let’s raise some money and upgrade the facilities. Traditions start with loyalty and money doesn’t hurt.
Go buy season tickets then.
I’ve been a season ticket holder for more than 30 years. Went to every single one of Von Appen’s 18 straight losses. Man that hurt, but we were there.
Great Points.
Those that complain, criticize and don’t attend games in the down years are not fans, they’re fannies…..GoBows!
Oh.. please. Anyone who compares mid-majors to power conference schools shouldn’t be allowed out of their kindergarten class.
The NFL Pro Bowl’s live TV broadcasts have promoted Hawaii in the US and world-wide for over 30 years.
Let’s hope the HTA is successful in bringing Pro Bowl back to the Aloha Stadium.
If HTA loses the Pro Bowl and tourism goes down will they blame it on that or will that be a coincidence?
Amela, HTA will go get more money from their pals at the legislature while our student athletes need soap for showers and food to eat.
So has Hawaii 5-0, but what has it got to do with UH athletics?
Hiring and firing coaches is one of the main responsibilities of the AD. You still have a ways to go and new the job was dangerous when you took it.
welcome to the circus Matlin.
The circus with , Jay, Chow and Arnold as main attractions ended, as well as the side show with Benji Taylor. Looking forward to Broadway shows now.
He’s done well in year one. Now, just find a way to get rid of Trapasso and Shogun Shoji to retire.
Why dont you apply to take Shoji’s place?? You seem to be an expert in Volleyball
Far from it. Problem is Shoji’s “expertise” peaked many years ago. Wanna challenge that assertion?
But I did play some in high school.
Oxtail01 and Allie must be the same person or brothers! They are always so negative. I wonder how they perceive their own lives?
Happy as can be, retired and enjoying paradise. The thing is I learned to differentiate between “critical” and “negative”. Apply that in your daily life and your career will do better, I guarantee it.
We should be mindful of what Hawaii Atletics is all about and not be led to believe we will be ranked in the Top 25 of any sports. We might have a breakout season when the stars line up but let’s not expect to happen too often.
Anyone thought Hawaii could go to the final 16 or get a major bowl bid is smoking to much pakalolo. That said let’s go easy on the critiques. It doesn’t help. It is what it is.
Shogun Shoji has/had his teams consistently in top 25(see I can talk good about him) as well as waterpolo, sailing, softall, and men’s baseball until Traps ruined it. Just because your uncle Chow was so bad don’t mean other coaches aren’t capable of “chasing championships” which, ultimately, UH athletics is about.