This will be the first big decision that Matlin will be faced with and let’s hope that he will make the right choice and doesn’t get off on the wrong foot. This choice is none other than Benji Taylor.

Benji was faced with much diversity when he accepted the challenge of coaching these young men. And, he did a very good job of it too. He was able to keep the team together, rally them around each other, and provide the basketball fans of Hawaii a very exciting season. He has demonstrated that he has the coaching skills and the CEO mentality to not only coach these young men, but to coordinate the functions of the program with great skill. We all know that a good coach is as good as the assistants that he has under him. He brought in some good additions to his staff and it appears that we have a cohesive working group of coaches. Benji has demonstrated good that he can work good with current players, has the ability to recruit, and is a people’s coach for the Hawaii fans. We have been to the Big West Tournament for the last couple of years and the fan base at this past years tournament was the biggest that I have seen. I would say that this is attributed to the team and the coaching.

Benji – We really hope that you will be Matlin’s choice. We want to go back to the Big West Tournament again next year and this time win it all.

Its one thing to recruit talent, but there’s also the skill of getting that talent to buy into your system and philosophy and to work together and produce as a team.

You could also argue though that although they are Gib’s recruits (well most of them), Taylor was able manage and produce results with that talent. While Nebraska, Colorado, and Pitt may not have been spectacular this year, they are still Power 5 conference schools with better talent. Pitt while they were not the same team we have come to know them by, still had impressive wins this year. Three wins vs Power 5 schools and what should have been a win vs a ranked Wichita State team is surely impressive in my eyes. Taylor also accomplished something that no one has since the early 2000s and that is make it to a conference championship game. They did not win obviously and a 8-8 conference record is middle of the pack, but considering where this program was a few days before the season, what he did this season is very impressive and I think should warrant him a chance to lead the program as the head coach.

What a shame!

These big-time donors and so-called boosters are the ones holding up the process. Don’t they know that recruiting and re-loading is essential to winning year-in and year-out? You cannot keep living in the past. You need to think forward, as in down the road.

Another thing about situation is that the violations U.H. faces can and will used against them. We need to get them offf our a$$es in order to move the program forward. A potential recruit will not come here if they found out and realize that post-season play is out of the question. We are paying that law firm buku-bucks to get us out of trouble. If they cannot do it, find another law firm who will.

Benjy already recognizes the problem with Gib’s panty scheduling which water-downs the SOS. It’s all about SOS in the big-time programs and the NCAA. Let’s go ahead and schedule home-and-home series to boost the non-conference schedule. In order to be a good and respected team, you MUST win on the road.

Hoping the new AD have the kahones to do the smart and right thing–ASAP, please. Time is of the essence here.

The 22-13 overall record is deceiving. Nebraska and Colorado had losing records. Pittsburg was so-so and lost in the first round in the NIT. 5-3 conference at home is average. Should be 7-1 if we are to be a contender and at least 4-4 on the road. Blowing a double digit lead with 3 minutes left at UCSB is inexcusable.

I appreciate Taylor’s and the staff and the players for their efforts for a successful and winning season. It was a good season, not a great season. Now we want to see where we go into the future. Find the best coach to lead us. If it’s Taylor, so be it. If somebody else, let’s roll with that too. We have to trust the process, but can we hurry up please.

UH gonna look real silly if Benjy is offered a better position somewhere else. Along with player defections, the non-hiring of Benjy could spell doom for any type of momentum we built this year. I do mean “could.” It would take one hell of a coach to come in and be as effective as Benjy has proven to be. This whole “national search” thing leaves a real sour taste in the mouths of his supporters. One win away from the tourney, despite one hell of a crazy off-court year for the squad, and we still wondering if he will be our coach. My goodness, Hire that man.