LAS VEGAS >> Jimmy Morimoto, the University of Hawaii football team’s director of operations, and Joel Matsunaga, UH’s associate athletic director/external affairs, are leaving the school.

Morimoto has been hired as Montana’s assistant athletic director.

Matsunaga is expected to return to the private sector as a consultant.

“I’m really happy for what Jimmy has done for this program,” UH coach Nick Rolovich said. “He was real diligent in helping me out a bunch. It was a hard decision, but it’s a really good jump. He’s realizing administration might be a job he really can succeed at.”

Morimoto helped handle the Rainbow Warriors’ travel and general organization. Morimoto, who was born and reared on Maui, coached at Baldwin High for 15 seasons, serving as head coach in 2005 and 2006. He also worked with the UNLV football team for nine years and with Fresno State for two years.

Rolovich has not cemented plans or a timetable for the vacated position. But Rolovich said director of recruiting and retention Jason Cvercko, administrative officer Myles Gota, and intern Josh Omura will share some of Morimoto’s duties. “We’ll probably elevate some of the roles of the (graduate assistants), having them learn about different aspects of the program.”

Rolovich added: “We have to look at all options as far as giving people more responsibility. We have some people who are ready for it in our office. I don’t see us going outside the office at this point in time.”

Matsunaga was in charge of the athletic department’s marketing, media relations, legislative affairs, sponsorship and licensing. He was instrumental in helping the athletic department receive additional funding from the Legislature.

“Joel has been a game changer for the University of Hawaii’s athletic department,” athletic director David Matlin texted to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. “His professional approach and gift to make the complex simple have assisted us with so many new initiatives. He has done a great job in setting up the position for the next person. I am glad I will have his number after he retires from UH athletics.”

‘Britney’ joins Rolo at media summit

Oops … he did it again.

At last year’s Mountain West Media Summit in Las Vegas, Rolovich brought an Elvis impersonator. On Wednesday, Rolovich invited “Britney Spears.”

“I wasn’t going to do anything,” Rolovich said, conceding the guest appearances bring “a lot of attention to the Mountain West Conference media days. It gets people talking about Hawaii. I like having fun. I don’t necessarily want to be a yearly court jester at this. We’re in a battle to show how good our football is, and this gets people talking about it.”

Rolovich called a talent agency that he used in booking Elvis. Katie Murdock, as it turns out, used to perform as Britney with “Legends in Concert” at the Royal Hawaiian Theater in Waikiki. (The show has since been renamed Rock-A-Hula By Legends In Concert Waikiki.)

“I actually fell into it,” she said of her career. “This producer was looking for a Britney, and said, ‘you look like her. Do you want to audition?’ Luckily, I grew up singing.”

She spent 12 years under the Legends umbrella. The past year, she has been an independent entertainer.

“I do sing live,” Murdock said. “That’s what’s hard with the dancing and the singing at the same time.”

Rolovich said: “You know what Britney does? She takes all the attention off the (UH) quarterback competition, who’s playing where, 3-9 (record last year). Everybody wants to talk about Britney.”