The last time the University of Hawaii hired an athletic director, the search advisory committee culled two finalists to present to then-Manoa Chancellor Tom Apple.

"After the two (Ben Jay and Solomon "Solly" Fulp), we saw a definite drop-off in quality," said a member of that 2012 committee.

Less than two and a half years later, as the process to select Jay’s successor proceeds, the question many have is: What quality of applicants can UH attract now?

The search that led to Jay’s hiring came amid the fallout over the "Wonder Blunder," a particularly tumultuous and politically charged chapter that no doubt scared off some potential candidates.

These days Jay’s departure highlights the financial crisis confronting UH, something that has not escaped notice around the rest of the country either.

Two days after Jay resigned, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith, Jay’s former boss and mentor, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, "I just know that if (Hawaii) is not the toughest job in college sports it is awfully close."

At the IMG Athletic Forum in New York, where Smith was among 100 collegiate athletic administrators, a panel discussion about the future of mid-major schools included references to UH’s unique geographical challenges.

The combination of geography, finances, an under-performing football program and an NCAA investigation suggest "Gene Smith might be right," said Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Karl Benson, who has retained a UH affinity and familiarity from his WAC days. "Of the soon-to-be 129 Football Bowl Subdivision schools, I wouldn’t argue that the Hawaii job might be perceived in the bottom five right now by a lot of people," Benson said.

"It would take a lot of money — money they obviously don’t have — to get me to take that job right now," said a mainland athletic administrator who had previously looked into the job.

How much UH will offer somebody is apparently a matter of contention on campus. Two UH Board of Regents committees had a 45-minute closed-door executive session Wednesday on the subject of the pay range, and they have refused to say what was decided.

While the listed salary scale has been $225,000-$315,000, people in the athletic department say they would be surprised if Jay’s successor even matches his $293,016 salary.

The days when UH could attract an experienced sitting Division I AD — Ray Nagel (1976), Stan Sheriff (1983) and Herman Frazier (2002) — might be over.

But Benson said UH will not lack for applicants. "There are probably a half-dozen ADs (at mid-major schools) that have lost their jobs in the last two years that will apply, if they haven’t already. There are some still hanging around and young enough who want to get back into the game."

In addition, people in the industry say some assistant and associate ADs at large and medium schools who see their career tracks slowed might find UH worth a shot.

Given some of UH’s challenges, especially financial and political, many on the mainland and here think it will behoove the school to strongly encourage local candidates.

"I just think it will be extremely hard for someone from the mainland, even if that person is a quick study, to jump right into the situation there," said a West Coast administrator with more than a quarter-century of experience.

Jay’s resignation was announced Dec. 9 and UH began advertising the position Jan. 14. But the school has so far refused to provide a snapshot number of early applications.

Officially, UH has said, "Any premature release of that type of information may compromise the integrity of the search process."

Unofficially, some at UH have suggested that if the numbers are perceived to be low it will be a reflection upon the search, while if they are deemed to be high it might scare off some potential applicants.

As if the type of person required to tackle the challenges confronting UH should be frightened off by competition.

At a Thursday Regents session, Manoa Chancellor Robert Bley-Vroman, who is overseeing the hiring, said, "We are in the quiet phase — that is we are in the phase where we are not talking about questions about who has applied, how many have applied, are you having trouble, how often are you meeting, where are you meeting — none of that will happen."

Bley-Vroman, who convened an eight-member committee Jan. 9, has pledged to name a new AD "no later than mid-year."

According to people who were involved in the 2012 UH selection process, a large number of applicants can be quickly eliminated. "Within 30 seconds of seeing some of their cover letters, you could toss a lot of the candidates," said one former committee member.

Meanwhile, Rockne Freitas, UH-West Oahu Chancellor, an interim AD in 2012 and past applicant, said he will not pursue the position.

In addition, Fulp, who is deputy director of athletics, chief operating officer at California, won’t make a second run at UH, a Golden Bears spokesman said.

Among the more curious applicants in 2012 were said to be a cocktail waitress, a barista and several students.

"Maybe they’ve used the time to improve their resumes," said a 2012 committee member.