Univ. Of Hawaii Names Former ESPN, Bowl Exec David Matlin As Its New AD

The Univ. of Hawaii named Hawaii Bowl Exec Dir David Matlin its new AD, a move that "ends more than three months of speculation about the position since the Dec. 9 resignation of Ben Jay," according to Lewis, Reardon & McInnis of the HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER. Jay "held the job for almost two years since arriving from Ohio State." Matlin's name was forwarded to UH Chancellor Robert Bley-Vroman "by an eight-member search advisory committee last week." Matlin has run the Hawaii Bowl since '08, and has also run college basketball's Diamond Head Classic tournament since '09. He and insurance exec Keith Amemiya "emerged as the leading candidates from a field of at least 70 applicants for the position, though Amemiya was not interviewed by the committee" (HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER, 3/26). Matlin yesterday at his introductory press conference said that he "plans to find ways to work with his contacts at power conferences, the NCAA and ESPN, where he worked for 13 years." Matlin: "I have a feeling what ESPN is looking for is partnerships that are win-win. We need to relook at our model" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 3/25). In Hawaii, Chris Tanaka reported Bley-Vroman "was impressed with Matlin's private sector experience in the state, as well as his connections on the mainland." Bley-Vroman also "pointed out Matlin's out-of-the-box thinking as a strength." What Matlin now has to do is "face down a budget that has run in a deficit 11 of the past 13 years." Cal State Fullerton AD Jim Donovan, who held the same role at UH from '08-12, said, "Coming up with a realistic funding model, that's probably the biggest issue, especially with the recent developments in the last year nationally" (HAWAIINEWSNOW.com, 3/25).

BEAR ESSENTIALS: In Memphis, Phil Stukenborg notes "several reports circulated" yesterday that Memphis AD Tom Bowen "was a finalist" for the Cal AD position, along with Cal interim AD Michael Williams. But Bowen "wasn't aware of such a development." Bowen: "I'm happy at Memphis. This is where I am, this is where I want to be. We're doing great work and I'm excited about what we're doing" (Memphis COMMERICAL APPEAL, 3/26).