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Rainbow Wahine basketball coach Laura Beeman and the University of Hawaii have agreed on a two-year contract extension.
The deal runs through June 30, 2019, according to officials, and will make Beeman, who is in her fifth year, the Rainbow Wahine’s second-longest serving head coach behind Vince Goo (17 years).
“Yeah, it is kinda nice, particularly with the way my preseason is going,” Beeman said in reference to a 3-8 start. “It is always nice to be wanted. It is nice to have job security.”
Salary terms were not announced, but they are expected to keep Beeman well within the scale ($118,488 to $209,784) for the position set by the school’s Board of Regents.
The contract is said to have required the approval of UH president David Lassner because of unique contract language that allows Beeman to direct a portion of her bonuses to her assistant coaches.
“I know how hard my assistant coaches work and the difference between assistant coach and head coach salaries,” Beeman said. “It is not that I don’t feel I am worth what I get paid, but I also wish that my assistant coaches could get paid better. It is why I fought for the ability to give my assistant coaches bonuses out of my salary, if appropriate.”
Beeman is 81-56 (49-17 Big West) at UH and was the conference coach of the year last season after leading UH to its first conference title and NCAA appearance since 1997-98.
Under Beeman, the Rainbow Wahine have gone to the postseason four times, including three Women’s NIT appearances.
“I absolutely love working for this university and (athletic director) David Matlin,” Beeman said. “We have a long ways to go to continue to make this a great place, but I think we are on the right track.”
UH plays Grand Canyon tonight at the Stan Sheriff Center.
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