Ex-UH athletic director Craig Angelos applies for AD again

Former University of Hawaii-Manoa Athletic Director Craig Angelos has reapplied for the job five months after being fired by then-President David Lassner, he confirmed to Spectrum News on Friday morning.

Spectrum Sports play-by-play man Kanoa Leahey first reported on his morning talk show, Let’s Talk Sports on ESPN Honolulu, that Angelos had reapplied.

“Yes. I did apply,” Angelos subsequently messaged Spectrum News in reply to a question. “But don’t have anything to say. Just going to see how it all plays out.”

Angelos has remained on Oahu since he was dismissed.

“Never left,” he said.

In a controversial move, Lassner decided to fire Angelos “based on performance” in late November, 18 months into the job for Angelos and with about a month left in the leadership tenure of Lassner. Lassner hired Angelos in May 2023.

UH received considerable blowback from its fan base, as it appeared to have underestimated the Utah native’s popularity. Student-athletes started a petition to have him reinstated. “Save Craig” shirts were circulated at sporting events, including the nationally televised UH men’s basketball game against North Carolina on Nov. 22, one of the last events at which Angelos appeared. His official end date was Dec. 1.

New President Wendy Hensel has said she hopes to hire a new AD by the end of the summer. Associate athletic director and Senior Woman Administrator Lois Manin has been acting AD for the last five months. The position was posted on April 4.

UH has named a search committee as well as a national search firm. Based on its previously announced timetable, it would conduct interviews in late May.

Others believed to be interested in the position include former UH men’s basketball player and sports agent Jarinn Akana and Keith Amemiya, chair of Gov. Josh Green’s Sports Task Force and former head of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association.

Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.