Could Shoji be UH’s athletic director someday?
I like Ben Jay and hope he has a good run as University of Hawaii athletic director. But if and when Jay does leave UH (hopefully after success in getting the athletic department on good footing), would current volleyball coach Dave Shoji be a viable successor?
This comes to mind largely because Jay and Shoji have been working together to craft an administration role for Shoji — independent of Shoji’s yet-unscheduled retirement as volleyball coach).
The outline at this point is for Shoji — who has coached at UH for nearly 40 years — to assist Jay as an adviser and consultant on a wide variety of matters.
Shoji just turned 67 but seems as sharp as the day I first met him more than 30 years ago. The three-sport high school star is far from just a volleyball guy, and understands business and politics in Hawaii and knows where the real seats of power are and how to deal with them.
Nobody’s pushing NCAA Division I volleyball’s winningest coach out of that post. But when the time comes, if he wants it and assuming it’s less than 10 years from now, Dave Shoji could be a great choice as next UH athletic director.
If it’s in “a few years” I don’t see him having a desire to be the top. Admin assistant kind of role, maybe. You would want someone long-term (5 years minimum) and they would be expected to work long hours. Travel to see the sons play professional and visit the daughter and grandkids, see the world, plus spend more time on the golf course, may not be convenient if he became AD.
don’t believe that shoji would want the job due to his age and does not need the headaches that come with the position. while he could do it, but he would be stupid if he did. however, does this implies that jay might bolt in the not too distant future; he might feel that this is not what he expected – an impossible job.
I just can’t see Shoji wanting to be AD. At 67, he would, I think, be content to have a foot in the program, but have the luxury to take time off to spend with his wife and family.
Actually I think Norm Chow would be a better AD than either of these guys. Jay should fall on his sword, or broken back, and kick Chow upstairs, allowing for the hiring of someone like Babers or Norwood to coach the football team. Dave: so if Chow is going to make some changes to his staff, when would that take place? If he ain’t gonna change nothing, ain’t nobody going to by a ticket or order PPV.
I would look for changes on football staff in a week or two at the most. Right now the football program’s priority is closure for Willis Wilson and his family.
Dave, would recruiting hurt next years class by waiting 2 weeks?
Didn’t Dave’s name come up for AD before Frazier or Jim D?
Chow as A D ? Are you smoking crack? Shoji as the AD would be more likely although being over 65 doesn’t help. Shoji is currently taking stem cells to reverse his age to 45 and be around uh campus for another 25 years.
NO