No surprise Ben Jay is out

Photo from The Official Ben Jay Twitter (@HawaiiManoaAD)

University of Hawaii Athletic Director Ben Jay resigned yesterday after serving just a little shy of two years in the position. Citing personal reasons, he will remain as AD until June 30, 2015. For many University of Hawaii athletics fans, including myself, the announcement was just a matter of time. There haven’t been many positive moments during his tenure, but many questionable decisions.

First, there was the indecisiveness regarding the names of the sports teams. After deciding to call all male sports teams simply “Warriors” as his first major move as AD, he then quickly reversed his decision and changed the name to “Rainbow Warriors.” He never was going to please everyone with either decision, so it was quite a revelation of his lack of fortitude that he didn’t stick to his guns.

Then the men’s basketball team fell under a still ongoing NCAA investigation. Knowing that the investigation likely involved former head coach Gib Arnold in some capacity, he offered Arnold an extension on his contract anyway. Arnold, along with assistant coach Brandyn Akana. was soon after fired “without cause.”

And we don’t really have to mention the miserable football team, do we? The tens of thousands of empty seats at Aloha Stadium scream of the community’s indifference to the failing program.

Jay gained few supporters during his brief stay and his departure will be viewed as a step in the right direction by many. It doesn’t, however, relieve the University of all of its problems. With the seemingly revolving door at upper campus, it’s apparent that there certainly are issues above Jay’s level. Stability is one word that the university’s higher ups are not familiar with. Whether Jay is truly leaving due to family issues or for other reasons, the UH fan base will probably never learn the real truth. UH has always been secretive of what goes on behind their closed doors, and I doubt that anything will change now.

As is the norm after each failed hire, all fans can do going forward is hope for the best. There will be a new AD in place by next July and fans throughout the state will immediately present that person with a wish list for the department, most likely leading with firing the football head coach Norm Chow, who will stay on as head coach for now as announced yesterday morning along with Jay’s decision to step down. Well, you all know how I feel about that. If not, here’s a post I wrote about Chow.