Blangiardi won't pursue UH AD job

Rick Blangiardi, considered by many a strong contender to become the next University of Hawaii athletic director, has chosen not to apply for the job.

[KonaWarrior]

My guess is that Dick Tomey is interested in the job, but wants to keep the record of his interest out of the press as long as possible as to not upset the momentun that he has established as SJSU. At some point, his application, if submitted, will be known, but I believe he will only remain as a candidate if his approval is a certainty.

[gigi-hawaii]

You didn't mention Jim Donovan. Has he applied for the job?

[Mach5Motorsport]

Oh this is going to get good.

[The AD]

Why is it that there was such a big push to hire the football coach? Was it an effort to keep Coach Mac before he bolted to SMU?

Why is it no big deal to hire an AD and all the media speculation of who did or didn't apply? Seems like a decision has already been made on who the powers that be want as AD. Is there a case of the Clapp that they want to avoid?

[LousMoney]

I will never respect Marilyn Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano because she doesnt even support UH 100%. I remember when she was on the pigskin picks panel and she would actually pick a team to beat UH. what kind of UH Athletics employee does that? auwe.

[Kawika]

Question is, how did Marilyn do in The Pigskin Picks? Did she beat the spread? Maybe a future at Sam Boyds!

[Dave Reardon]

gigi-hawaii wrote:

You didn't mention Jim Donovan. Has he applied for the job?

Jim Donovan is low-keying it because of loyalty to his current job. But it would be a huge surprise if he did not apply.

[BoBoRa]

Argh! Blangiardi would have been perfect.

I'm tepid with Donovan since I still remember his "would you like to make it a 2 for 1" to Riley Wallace for speaking out (and saying what many of us also felt) at Wag's firing at the SSC. That was like a total slap in the face and not the way an administrator should act especially at a press conference. I hope Dave Shoji offers his opinion on that entire episode.

The AD, there was a big push for the football coach because of recruiting. It would have been a disaster if the team did not have a permanent coach named since the last thing a potential recruit wants is uncertainty.

I also don't think it is a done deal with any of the rumored candidates either since the level of lobbying behind any one person has been relatively low (at least publicly). Knowing that Rick has taken himself out, I'm hoping that Bob Wagner now seriously considers applying. He has the coaches perspective of the situation that exists at UH (he had the exact same concerns and his speaking up about it to Donovan and Yoshida indirectly contributed to his firing) plus he has a ton of experience being the AD at Kamehameha Schools-Hawaii in Hilo and overseeing that athletics program from the ground up. I'm sure he also acquired some valuable business experience in that role as well.

[Why Not]

You were very impressive on Leahey & Leahey and would've made a great AD. But now we're stuck with Liz Chun in charge of the coach's show? Apart from running her sentences together and audibly gasping in the middle of them and sounding like she has marbles in her mouth and down her thoat, I guess she can be muted. Where's the closed captioning when I need it?!

[808FLA]

Bring on the KLOMPUS and fill the AD with them. It's an entertainment business anyway and they both have multimillion dollar friends in the business from the islands and the mainland. They both can entertain money bags and plus knows how to grandstand and treat would be donors with red carpet treatments. They know when to pull strings whether its last minute or a well planned benefits. The UH administration and athletics will reap all the benefits from their multi million dollar fund raisers. It's not Huli Huli Chicken sale either. So, if it's money you want for the main campus and lower campus, hire the Klompus'es and let them tag team the people with deep pockets...WHERE'S THE MONEY? The legislatures don't have it?

[kailua520]

i like amemiya for AD. He's a business man, a lawyer, he knows how to raise money and he knows sports. Hes a pleasant, likeable individual but doesnt take any junk off anyone.

Klompus...we do hope you are just jokin! hahaha

[edo]

Big Jim Donovan is the man of course

[edo]

gigi-hawaii wrote:

You didn't mention Jim Donovan. Has he applied for the job?

Gigi you're right, he's the man.....when you come to kona again?

[808FLA]

kailua520 wrote:

i like amemiya for AD. He's a business man, a lawyer, he knows how to raise money and he knows sports. Hes a pleasant, likeable individual but doesnt take any junk off anyone.
Klompus...we do hope you are just jokin! hahaha

If fund raising they want, why not, they do have deep pocket friends and they're mostly UH Alumnae anyway who probably didn't like sports? Now, at least when they do donate money, they can participate and also say, they paid for the athletics at UH.

Remember Rice University and their cheering section consisting of their student body and directed their cheers towards the opposing team that goes like this...

"hey hey, ho ho, someday you'll work for me, hey hey, ho ho, someday you'll work for me!!!

And that goes for the Klompus close circle of friends....

[DADDY LAU]

Good!!!!!!!!