Govs’ Okimoto wants coaches recognized as teachers

During a typical season, there is practically no home life.

There’s the potential for strain. No spending quality time with children or spouses. So Randall Okimoto, 20 years into his coaching life at his alma mater, Farrington, raising a young family, has much to say. It is, as his favorite scripture reads, iron sharpening iron. Change begins with talk.

“Now that it’s my 20th year as a coach and giving up my precious time away from my own family, I felt a sense of wanting to consolidate my time,” Okimoto wrote. “So one thing that would help as far as working conditions would be if the head coach and any assistant coach that is a faculty member be given an extra prep period to focus on the mountain of responsibilities that come with the job.”

For many of his colleagues, the issue of time is paramount. Flex time seems to be the common thread, especially after putting in a string of late nights on campus. Waianae coach Walter Young supports the idea of a flex schedule.

“I think with the amount of time and responsibilities, the schools and the DOE should look into giving the AD and coach a schedule that allows them to do some of these responsibilities on school time since it has a big effect on the school, community and pride,” Young texted.

“My first step would be to be recognized as faculty/administration,” Okimoto wrote. “Then it would help if we taught one or two classes, then have the rest of the time to take care of our demand as a coach. My question is, how much effect does the head football coach and his assistants have on the impact of students and student-athletes, the school, the community, alumni, etc. Does the influence and impact we have equate to that of a teacher? If so, we should be recognized as faculty and compensated as much.”

“I agree with Coach Okimoto,” Kahuku coach Vavae Tata texted. “I believe we have to look at ourselves as teachers first, coaches second. We are given the responsibility to foster and teach the student-athlete to be limitless. We equip our student-athletes with life lessons that will produce great citizens, husbands and fathers. So, yes, head coaches must be recognized as admins. As far as compensation goes, I firmly believe we will never be able to compete with schools on the mainland. I have colleagues there that are making six-figure salaries, (but) it’ll be a game changer if we could get our head-coaching compensation changed to a base salary compared to the current per diem.”

Compensation is a tricky and political baton. In essence, what Okimoto hopes for is the kind of time allotment that is afforded to a department head.

“Our department heads have an extra prep period, so they teach two classes and have two non-teaching prep periods,” Okimoto added.

Leilehua football coach Nolan Tokuda did the math one day. From video study to study hall to weight-room training to all else, and based on the $3,500 stipend a head football coach receives annually, the hourly wage comes out to $4.45.

“It may be less than that,” Okimoto wrote. “I remember (former OIA Executive Director) Dwight Toyama mentioning it was like seven cents an hour. The job is (year-round). Our former AD, Agenhart Ellis, used to say being a head football coach is sometimes worse than being a principal because he’s taking shots from every angle.”

“Imagine,” Tokuda asked, “if they just paid us minimum wage? When the school day ends at 3:30, the rest of the faculty are able to go home when our day is only half-done.”

The unofficial dean of OIA football coaches is longtime Aiea counselor Wendell Say. More than three decades into his chosen commission, Say has come to terms with the compromise.

“I like what Randall says. There is a lot of truth to that, but the fact is also that we accepted the job knowing that the responsibilities are many,” Say wrote via e-mail. “We sacrifice many hours away from wives and growing family members, and the monetary stipend/compensation is minimal. As an educator, I am not at the top of my pay scale because we need to take classes to get credit to move up in pay grade. I never had the time to do that because of my time spent coaching. So I am basically an old teacher getting paid a little more than a new teacher.”

He does everything from laundry to monitoring youngsters during lunch recess. Say long ago accepted the circumstances, but does that make it fair?

“Again, we accepted what we do and I am committed to giving my all to my players,” he wrote.

Several athletic directors were asked for their take on Okimoto’s idea. Only one would talk about the potentially touchy subject, and only off the record.

“I’m kind of in agreement (with Say),” he said. “I know football is a different animal, but those of us who are or were coaches know you have to put the time in. As a coach I would have never thought to ask for more flex time. It’s shocking to hear this but not absurd. I can understand.

“If you can’t make the commitment to do both (coaching and teaching), then you might have to choose one.”

THE HIGH SCHOOL TOP 10

Voted on by coaches and media statewide. First-place votes in parentheses. Ten points for first-place votes, nine for second, etc.

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Also receiving votes: Waipahu 5, Kalani 1, Punahou I-AA 1.

BASEBALL

Also receiving votes: ‘Iolani 9, Waimea 7, Hilo 2, Kapolei 2, Moanalua 2, Kaiser 1, Kamehameha-Hawaii 1, St. Francis 1.

SOFTBALL

Also receiving votes: Kamehameha-Hawaii 18, Pearl City 18, Kealakehe 7, Kailua 3, Pac-Five 1, Punahou 1, Waiakea 1.