Hawaii athletic director David Matlin’s contract extended into 2023

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CRAIG T. KOJIMA / 2015

David Matlin’s initial five-year contract was finalized on April 27, 2015, and was set to expire in April 2020.

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University of Hawaii athletic director David Matlin has been granted a new deal that will extend his contract through April 2023.

Matlin’s initial five-year contract was finalized on April 27, 2015, and was set to expire in April 2020. On Wednesday, UH’s Board of Regents agreed to a three-year extension that would keep Matlin under contract through 2023.

UH issued a release that Matlin’s “extension will be for the same salary.” Matlin earns about $300,000 annually.

“We are pleased to add stability to our athletic department by extending David’s contract,” UH president and interim chancellor David Lassner said in a release. “He has worked tirelessly to improve our program and the opportunities for our student-athletes.”

Matlin, 54, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser: “I am appreciative to President Lassner and the regents for the opportunity to continue on this journey as athletic director. This opportunity is a blessing, and serving our student-athletes, the university and our great state is a privilege. It remains a dream opportunity.”

UH faces what are termed unique-to-Hawaii budget situations, such as providing travel aid for visiting teams. Those costs contributed to the athletic department’s $4.2 million deficit at the end of fiscal year 2015.

The last fiscal year, the deficit was $1.9 million.

The deficit reduction for the 21-sport, $40 million budget could be traced, in part, to a $2.7 million stipend from the Legislature, and partnerships with IMG (multimedia), Hawaiian Airlines (flights) and Under Armour (apparel). In the first year of the deal, IMG increased corporate sponsorship from $2.1 million to $2.7 million.

Under Matlin, UH has hired seven head coaches. During his tenure, there have been renovations to Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium, Les Murakami Stadium and Gym II. Renovations on Gym I are underway, and a new track will be installed at the Ching Athletic Complex this fall.

“We have 21 different teams, but we’re really just one team,” Matlin said. “Being on a team is something special. What we need to do is try to get a little bit better each day. The mantra I use in our meetings is to get 1 percent better a day, or do one thing better each day.”