McMackin, John L, JJ, Frazier, RGM

Ferd Lewis writes that Greg McMackin has shown interest in becoming the new head coach, and has already gotten a lot of internal support.

Manoa chancellor Virginia Hinshaw met with the coaching staff yesterday and several people said McMackin has wide support among the staff in his bid to succeed Jones. Several prominent boosters have also taken up a campaign on his behalf.

Dave Reardon writes that Adam Leonard endorses McMackin.

"Yeah, we would welcome that," said Leonard, who has decided to remain at UH rather than make himself available for the NFL Draft. "Especially the defensive side knows how compassionate he is for the players. He's really about his players and not about personal pride and accolades he might receive. He really wants to create an environment where player and coaches can do their best."

The article also has a rundown of candidates for head coach and athletic director.

Paul Arnett endorses McMackin as well.

McMackin is well-versed in the ways of Hawaii. He has players willing to run through a wall for him. There are plenty of good guys left, no matter how many turn pro, and the quieting effect it would have over the next few weeks of recruiting would be refreshing. Don't wait. Don't get in a committee and have five different people say five different things when the answer is right down the hall.

Ferd Lewis endorses John L. Smith for head coach. Just kidding.

April Fool's Day arrived early this year.

Yesterday, apparently, for that was when John L. Smith declared his candidacy for the vacant University of Hawai'i head football coaching position.

We'll pause here for a hearty laugh from Ni'ihau to South Point.

Smith, as you will recall, is in large part responsible for UH's subsequent difficulties in booking Big Ten opponents here. So shrill were his bleatings that Michigan State bought its way out of the scheduled 2007 game at Aloha Stadium even after he had been fired. Even Purdue tried to get out of its 2006 game before begrudgingly following through with the contest.

If UH and Hawai'i tourism officials have a picture on their dart boards, chances are it is Smith's.

David Shapiro has an opinion about June Jones' departure.

The foot-dragging by UH in negotiating a renewal of his contract gave Jones the excuse he needed to leave. Last-minute efforts by the university president to try to meet his demands could have given him an excuse to stay if he wanted one, but clearly his desire was to go while the going was good.

All we can do now is thank him for the excellent job he did, wish him well and move on as quickly as we can.

Ferd Lewis writes that June Jones owes UH $400K for leaving before his contract was up. The money should help paying for Herman Frazier's buyout and bonuses. Bonuses!

Even though University of Hawaii athletic director Herman Frazier is losing his job for an apparent lack of performance, he will still get at least $28,334 in bonuses and perhaps $15,000 more for reaching goals that were accomplished under his leadership.

Frazier and UH-Manoa reached an agreement yesterday to buy out his contract for $312,510, the university said in a short news release. That equals 15 months' salary under Frazier's employment contract -- his compensation if he loses his job "without cause."

At the UH-Manoa campus yesterday, most of those who had an opinion agreed with the decision to let Frazier go.

"My feeling is, he didn't do a good job," said Kyle Ikeda. "I'm not surprised he's getting bought out. I think he should be held accountable."

"He's lucky he's getting that much. Hire me, I'll do a better job," said Alejandro Preciado.

Michael Tsai has a lot more details about the buyout and why it had to happen that way. In the article, State Rep. K. Mark Takai and coach Dave Shoji discuss what the next AD needs to bring to the table:

"The next athletic director has to be someone with a vision and someone who can articulate that vision not just to players and coaches, but to fans and the business community," Takai said. "The next athletic director will also need to have a great understanding of our corporate community. He needs to have already-established relationships with that community. We can't start fresh again."

Shoji said the ability to work with the community to generate necessary funds for UH's athletic programs should be the "major priority."

"I'd like to see someone who has the confidence and support of the community," he said. "The new athletic director has to be able to go out and raise significant monies for the program. We need a person that the community responds to."

An Advertiser opinion column discusses that the next AD should be skilled in fundraising and networking.

Ferd Lewis recounts Frazier's career at UH, highlighting the lowlights.

The incidents and apparent inattention to detail contrast with a picture that had been painted of Frazier as the meticulous, detail-oriented operator when he came to UH.

"He is one of the most prepared individuals I have ever met," New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said at the time. Steinbrenner, who met Frazier through their Olympic work, said, "He's very detail-oriented."

But, as Steinbrenner likes to say, "It isn't the elephants that will get you, it is those mice at your feet."

Stephen Tsai writes about Adam Leonard staying and Ryan Grice-Mullins leaving.

Grice-Mullins' departure makes it a clean sweep of all four starting receivers and the No. 1 quarterback from UH's Sugar Bowl team. Quarterback Colt Brennan and wideouts Jason Rivers and C.J. Hawthorne finished their NCAA eligibility. Left slotback Davone Bess, who was a junior in 2007, has applied for the NFL draft.

And in the article, Tsai writes that RGM will confirm his departure on his blog.