Maybe we can “move forward” after UH shows a little accountability
It’s been 24 hours since I was stonewalled by the UH Manoa chancellor when asking questions about accountability for the ridiculous amount of money — $700,000 – given to the basketball coach the school fired for allegedly breaking NCAA rules. All told, the estimate for how much this latest astonishing error is costing us, the people of this state, is around $1.1 million.
I stand by what I said on Artie Wilson’s radio show this morning that anyone with eighth grade reading comprehension could tell that the sloppy clause in the contract could easily be interpreted to mean a windfall for the fired coach rather than what was intended. And this is the work of attorneys and other professionals?
Instead of displaying remorse, UH officials seemed to be patting themselves on the back for a job well-done. Really? Trying to spin this as a win isn’t going to work.
I’m even more steamed a day later. When asking questions about how this happened and who is responsible, I got a lot of rhetoric about “damage control” and “moving forward.” No acknowledgment of a mistake. No apology to the state tax payers. The money comes out of a fund designated for settlements. So what? It’s still OUR money that is supposed to be used to educate our future leaders and efficiently run the state university; it’s not UH’s administration’s to squander. This is incompetence and arrogance at its worst from people who are supposed to be public servants.
A UH spokesman said the people responsible for the decisions that led to this result are “no longer in position to make those kind of decisions.” But some of them are still being paid by UH, receiving huge bonuses or coveted positions elsewhere in the university system.
I wish I could say I’m surprised, but this is the University of Hawaii, which makes a habit of this kind of thing. Maybe chancellor Robert Bley-Vroman wants to clone Gib Arnold now, like he said he wanted to clone the athletic director at his firing disguised as a resignation.
This should be a column in the print and online edition of the SA.
Spot on. Thank you for writing this and standing by your conviction. It’s inexcusable for the university to produce such a poorly written contract. Can you imagine, these are our highly paid educators that we have entrusted to manage an annual $1 billion operation,
Yeah Dave you should put this in the paper. Otherwise, try not to think about it cause UH will just drive you mad my man. On the positive side, rail is worse than UH. Dumb and dumber.
Bachi. UH leaders not backing their coaches and a star player. Leaders looking out for themselves and their agenda. When people make an effort to help others good things happen.
The leaders at UH like to have the feeling they are right and they are in charge so don’t tell me what to do. Leaders as Dave states that do not even take responsibility for their ineptness. Instead they want the public to believe that all these people who created this problem is gone.
The contract with Arnold is not the only problem it was how the president and the chancellor handled this fiasco. Far from the truth look around who made the decision to let go the coach and I wonder who was responsible to put Fotu on suspension. Letting the cards fall where they may with the NCAA this problem would not have come about.
Dave there is more to this on how the chancellor spun a web around the NCAA investigators. That is another story that needs to be looked into.
Not an Expert: This , with public outcry, or majority of apathy about UH sports anyway, I thought for certain, Gib would NOT get monies. It was a narrow vote 8 to 6. Dave that is very, close, out of that 14 with one recusing himself from vote. Here is the stickler….Gib, with all odds against him in public perception, except for a loyal group who back him and believe him..he won.. not the huge payout, but a payout nonetheless. Who agreed to contract? UH counsel and Gib attorney, both knew about that fine print, LD for firing without cause. I guess if BOR did not approve, maybe Gib takes another step and they go litigate more . Glad it is over, never though.. Gib would get ANY money from UH Machine.
Secondly as Not an Expert alludes to, Now Bickerton, stating Very confidently that Public will know soon, how everything will unfold. Maybe, UH gets some lesser things, UH as institution, more whacks, and major hits to UH and MBB program, Not heavy punishment falling on Gib, more on UH.. You can see it happening, with the HIRING OF NEW NCAA COMPLIANCE OFFICER.. that might be the trump or Ace in hand for Gib battle that finished in Dallas. I cannot bet against Gib now.. he just might come out 2 for 2, in battle with UH and challenging allegations. .. score would be .. Gibson Arnold 2, UH power that be a big fat ZERO.. sort of like the Football team scores
Have you read the notice of allegations? Maybe Arnold has something on UH, but it appears the NCAA has a few things on Arnold. I think both get punished. Regardless, it’s all sickening.
Well it seems everyone loses except the attorneys and Arnold. UH Manoa has NO ONE to blame over the lack of alumni financial support for the school. I stopped contributing a long time ago waiting for the day I’d see some progress on how UHM is managed. Sadly, it seems like the same old “stuff”, just a different set of horses.
Tear their @$$’s up Dave!
Acknowledging “mistakes” might cost some folks their jobs. Like the big fellaz above the athletics level who need to approve such contracts. Yep, put their @$$’s on blast. Even if they are no longer formally affiliated with the UH.
Right on Dave, you are the only voice in the press that expresses our frustration these days with these things
“This should be a column in the print and online edition of the SA.”
lol not gonna happen. SA and its predecessors (honolulu advertiser and star bulletin) weren’t exactly known for investigative journalism and being anything other than representing the establishment. Aside from civil beat, hawaii media outlets aren’t know to make waves and ask hard questions. i’m not sure how much of this is cultural or what.
Frankly, I’m surprised that a blog like this even exists on a site hosted by the star advertiser. kudos to you, dave. i would love to see a more in depth piece about this issue.
Aloha All. The end was a tremendous disappointment. The public remains in the dark in terms of the truth. The University of Hawaii’s Athletic Department still is mired in debt. The University of Hawaii’s Basketball Team still is under the radar of the NCAA and may receive additional sanctions. The University of Hawaii’s Administration continues to look in disarray. Most importantly, this nightmare is not completely over…We are all still waiting for the final outcome of the NCAA which as I mentioned earlier, might still impose significant penalties that could take many years to recover from and leave a lasting negative impact.
Mr. or Ms. Come on, Man!
Sorry, you are wrong. I’ve written opinion stronger than this against the establishment that has run in the paper, and have the full support of our editors and publisher. If I had written this on Thursday it would’ve been in Friday’s paper. The only reason it’s in blog form and not in print is that I don’t have a column in today’s paper.
Hey Dave, do you know if this particular contract clause is written into any other coaches contracts at UH (i.e., Norm Chow)?
The few things the NCAA has on Arnold is what happened at USC. They the NCAA is part of this whole settlement. Lower violations against UH, make the penalties minor with the lowering of the severity of the violations. UH’s administration can and will come out that their handling of the situation and its results helped in mitigating the outcome.
NCAA with not much wording will state Arnold not able to coach at any institution for 1-3 years. His name and reputation not to be muddled by these two institution so long Arnold agrees to this settlement by all parties.
As stated next up the chancellor. He is not responsible for this as long as he is an employee of the school. Will he join the ranks with those who are no longer with the school. “Those responsible for this problem are no longer with the school.”
Someone at SA ask the chancellor in person.
1) Who made the decision to let Arnold go without cause?
2) Who made the decision to put Fotu on suspension?
3) What has happened to Amanda, the compliance head? Did she leave on her
own or was she asked to.
Do it now before the settlement comes out from the NCAA.
Yes, UH will move forward from this situation. Unfortunately, they will move forward to another blunder.
UH will always struggle financially. I remember UH hired Frank Arnold in the mid 80’s. Decade’s later, they hired Gib Arnold. Is there another Arnold waiting in the mix?
Maybe if UH start to make sound administrative decisions and sound financial decisions, the athletic program (i.e. football) would be in a better place to address urgent program needs. I am glad someone in SA is questioning the status quo at UH.
Truly unbelievable. And then have the chutzpah to ask leg for 16 million dollars? Is this for the “annual UH athletics screw up fund”? In ANY other organization, public or private, heads would roll. People would not be reassigned but would be looking for a new job. Poor Dave Maitlin. Get it together! Cut bait on coach Chow and face reality. He was not and is not the answer . And can we Please get a signed contract for Coach Ganot before the start of the season? I just shake my head at the way they throw money around like it is nothing. The cherry on top will be if NCAA finds Gib in violation of rules. Then UH will have paid a guy twice to get the school sanctioned. Brilliant!! I think you need at least a PH.D. To pull that off.
I like that, “the annual UH athletics screw up fund.”
There is no accountability within the chain of command. Or, is there a chain of command at the UH upper campus?
When the next blunder occurs, and it will, UH will blame the AD, tell him to quit because of family, and then they will get a another fall guy. Oh, sorry, I meant they will get another AD.