Bye bye, Herman Frazier [Archive]

LikaNui

January 7th, 2008, 03:37 PM

According to this story (http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080107/BREAKING02/80107012/1314), there will be an announcement about Herman Frazier's future tomorrow:
University of Hawai'i-Manoa chancellor Virginia Hinshaw today said she met with athletics director Herman Frazier and a statement on Frazier's future would be announced tomorrow.
Frazier, who has been athletics director since 2002, has been criticized over football coach June Jones' recent contract negotiations and problems with ticket availability for Hawai'i fans for the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
Jones resigned today to become football head coach at Southern Methodist.
Neither Hinshaw nor University of Hawai'i President David McClain would elaborate on what tomorrow's announcement would be.
(...)

This should come as no surprise, because it follows this story (http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080107/BREAKING02/80107013/1314) which contains the entire statement from UH President David McClain regarding June Jones. McLain mentions everybody except Frazier. Not one single word about him. Mclain thanks Gov. Lingle, Chancellor Hinshaw, State Rep. Takai, the Warrior team, and the fans. BUT NOT ONE WORD ABOUT FRAZIER. Zero, zilch, nada, no more nothing.
And shortly after, they say there'll be an announcement about Frazier's future tomorrow.
Heh.
In my mind, I'm pretty darned sure Frazier's "future" does NOT include the title of UH Athletic Director.
I only wonder if he's been given the option to resign, or if he got flat out fired. I suspect the latter.
Chances are UH will be searching for a new coach AND a new AD, at the same time. Ouch!
Whatcha think?

Pua'i Mana'o

January 7th, 2008, 03:56 PM

Can't go nowhere but up.

glossyp

January 7th, 2008, 03:59 PM

Well, we must have our sacrificial lamb. While HF is not solely responsible for the deplorable state of athletic facilities, Jones' late contract offer, etc. etc. (there's plenty of blame to go around on all scores), he will take the brunt of everyone's ire and then we'll all feel better - or not. I suspect that the problems at UH go far beyond what an AD can remedy. Vamos a ver.

Kittrick

January 7th, 2008, 04:00 PM

In the reports, it also said that McClain jumped into the negotiations very late. I'm assuming it's because Frazier was out golfing or not doing what he should have been doing much earlier.

A headline very soon will read:

"Down Goes Frazier!! Down goes Frazier!"

I hope he doesn't treat the USA Olympic team like he does the UH athletic facilities...yikes!

Pua'i Mana'o

January 7th, 2008, 04:00 PM

HF isn't innocent, though. We have been calling for his head before the season began. Dude should have seen the writing on the wall.

glossyp

January 7th, 2008, 04:13 PM

HF isn't innocent, though. We have been calling for his head before the season began. Dude should have seen the writing on the wall.

Oh, HF is not innocent. But the fact that he has remained employed by UH despite his failings, says volumes about the powers that be at UH. I should have used the term "scapegoat". Though the sacrificial lamb atoning for the sins of those more powerful, still resonates with me on a certain level.

oceanpacific

January 7th, 2008, 04:27 PM

If HF does the honorable thing and resigns, he wouldn't get a buy-out on the remainder of his contract. That's like a person voluntarily quitting a job not qualifying for unemployment compensation. HF could negotiate for a settlement as some boosters, led by Kent Untermann of Pictures Plus, have raised $120K for such a buy-out.

No buy-out if HF was fired for cause, like embezzlement or dereliction of duty. I wouldn't know if general laziness meets that definition.

I was among those initially enthused by the hiring of Frazier. An Olympic gold medalist (1976) with over a quarter-century of athletic administration. And a minority hire. Perfect for the "melting pot of the Pacific." Little did I know he had been foisted on us by UAB and was a charlatan all the while.

The more things went along, the more disenchanted I became of this LAZY ASS PROCRASTINATOR posing as a D-1 Athletic Director. He was jet-setting all over the world enjoying three-martini lunches with his cronies. He spent so much time on Olympics business that he was not tending to UH affairs. And when he did spend time on his UH duties, he screwed-up royally ... and often.

I'm sorry we lost Jones, but not Frazier. GOOD RIDDANCE TO BAD RUBBISH!

Kittrick

January 7th, 2008, 04:34 PM

I kinda knew this guy was bad news when he let Riley Wallace go the way he did...like a piece of garbage He even probably laughed when the poor guy cried on the teevee and said he wanted to stay and the University refused to give him a new contract....what's up with that?

I read somewhere...I think it was in the seattletimes.com a while back when Washington changed AD's that it was common practice to can the coaches that were there before the AD because the AD wants to set a culture of "I'm in charge because I'm the AD and I hired you" versus trying to gain respect of coaches that were there before the AD was hired who may even have contempt for him or her.

I bet that's the situation here...first Riley Wallace, then June Jones...I bet Dave Shoji was next.

Maui Tom

January 7th, 2008, 05:08 PM

Wow no more games against Southwest Eastern Idaho?

Lei Liko

January 7th, 2008, 06:07 PM

Stan Sheriff must be crying over this mess right now.

Frankie's Market

January 7th, 2008, 06:13 PM

If HF does the honorable thing and resigns, he wouldn't get a buy-out on the remainder of his contract. That's like a person voluntarily quitting a job not qualifying for unemployment compensation.

That would be the honorable thing to do. Problem is, honor is not a trait that one would associate with Mr. Frazier.

Let me tell you that I was in favor of dumping Frazier last year, when it became apparent that he botched the football schedule. I was in favor of going through with it, even if the university would have to eat it with a buyout clause. I said it back then, "The longer we keep an incompetent like Frazier in office, the more it is going to end up costing us in the long run." And sure enough, my prophecy came true. Keeping our "do nothing" AD ended up costing us big time. LOSING JUNE JONES! :mad:

Random

January 7th, 2008, 07:08 PM

I bet that's the situation here...first Riley Wallace, then June Jones...I bet Dave Shoji was next.
No wonder Dave Shoji was on TV news last night expressing support for June Jones if he should decided to take the SMU coaching job.

UH is cleaning house?

Star of Gladness

January 7th, 2008, 08:48 PM

Frazier out as UH athletic director (http://starbulletin.com/breaking/breaking.php?id=6605)

Herman Frazier is out as University of Hawaii athletic director, several well-placed sources told the Star-Bulletin today.

Frazier reported for work today, but was noticeably absent from a news conference this afternoon where UH president David McClain and Manoa chancellor Virginia Hinshaw talked to reporters about football coach June Jones' leaving UH for SMU.

McClain and Hinshaw said at today's news conference there would be an announcement and news conference tomorrow regarding Frazier.

Frazier has undergone intense public criticism since early last year on several issues, including the UH football schedule, transition of basketball coaches, returning part of UH's Sugar Bowl ticket allotment, and, most recently, not signing Jones to a new contract.

Frazier did not immediately return a call to his cell phone this afternoon.

Frazier's salary is $250,000 per year. His contract runs through June 2010. He began his tenure at UH in 2002, replacing Hugh Yoshida.

Kalihiboy

January 7th, 2008, 11:14 PM

Hugh Yoshida hired June Jones, I don't think he has been given credit for this
perhaps because he has been gone for so long.

I dont know what you guys think but what about hiring Bob Wagner to be the new AD, I think he still is the AD at Kam School in Hilo and has expressed his desire to remain in Hawaii thru his retirement. Why not have a guy who knows the University and ran the football team for so long be the AD, I think also enough years have passed that it would be okay to do this.

Or hiring Dick Tomey to be the new AD.

Aj

Kittrick

January 7th, 2008, 11:26 PM

Maybe to refresh things back to reality after June Jones, maybe UH needs to re-hire Fred Von Appen just for 1 season then fire him after they go 0-13 and then find another miracle worker like June Jones. Timeline now is sooo short to find a new coach, and smart money says most if not all of Jones' assistant jump ship with him to SMU. I hate to say it folks, but this next season will be a wash of temporary coaches or interim this or that because everything from who is actually going to play for UH to who is actually coach will still be in chaos until they settle on a coach to bring in his own guys over a two year span.

It's still hard to believe that the Sugar Bowl was only 7 days ago and things couldn't be better for the program, and just 7 days later they are headless with one head left to roll.

Kalihiboy

January 8th, 2008, 04:19 AM

Well I hate to say this but June Jone's first year (1999) in which he turned the team around, even making a bowl game and a share of the WAC was Fred Von Appen's team who couldnt win a game the year before. JJ recruited several players in spring of 99', but many players on the team he inherited were Von Appen's recruits. The difference between Fred Von Appen and June Jones is obviously the coaching.

Aj

Leo Lakio

January 8th, 2008, 07:43 AM

Hire timkona.

lavagal

January 8th, 2008, 10:14 AM

I just wanna know why/how/who hires these guys after the fact? Dobell got a job...HOW? Where will Frazier end up? Interesting times...

scrivener

January 8th, 2008, 11:14 AM

Kittrick and KalihiBoy make a good point that I was hoping to make first. Clearly, Von Appen knows talent, and he's still in Hawaii. He's a well-connected football guy. I would not object to the school's at least looking at him as a candidate for the AD position.

Dick Tomey and Bob Wagner would also be good ADs candidates.

I wonder how Marv Levy feels about Hawaii? :)

LikaNui

January 8th, 2008, 11:45 AM

Clearly, Von Appen knows talent, and he's still in Hawaii. He is? Last I heard, he was bouncing all over the NFL in various assistant positions. When did he come back to Hawaii and what's he doing?
EDIT: Well, maybe he is around somewhere. I Googled him and found this Wikipedia item about him (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_von_Appen), which includes:
von Appen spent the 2000 season as the defensive line coach for the Minnesota Vikings and the 2001 season as the special teams coach for the New York Giants. von Appen retired after the 2001 season, but came out of retirement to serve as the defensive ends coach and assistant head coach for the University of Montana. von Appen served on the Montana coaching staff until he retired for good after the 2003 season.

Still no formal announcement about Frazier yet today.

Random

January 8th, 2008, 03:12 PM

Hugh Yoshida hired June Jones, I don't think he has been given credit for this
perhaps because he has been gone for so long.
That and he's more known for hiring Fred Von Appen after letting Bob Wagner go.

Random

January 8th, 2008, 03:14 PM

Still no formal announcement about Frazier yet today.
When is the news conference from UH and will there be a live feed from any one of our local TV stations?

zztype

January 8th, 2008, 03:24 PM

According to Advertiser (http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2008/Jan/08/br/br8360179452.html), at 2:21 p.m.,

"No Frazier press conference; statement to be released"

There will be no press conference today to discuss the future of University of Hawai'i Athletics Director Herman Frazier.

Instead a statement will be released from the chancellor's office.

glossyp

January 8th, 2008, 03:27 PM

Does HF know where some bodies are buried or something? I suppose it is possible that UH wants to be careful in this dismissal, if that is what it is, and are exercising caution.

zztype

January 8th, 2008, 03:33 PM

Lei Liko

January 8th, 2008, 03:48 PM

Bulletin (http://starbulletin.com/breaking/breaking.php?id=6607):

UH to buy out Frazier's contract

The University of Hawaii is buying out Herman Frazier's contract, ending his controversial tenure as the UH athletic director.

From the article:

Potential candidates to replace Frazier include HHSAA Executive Director Keith Amemiya, KGMB-TV exec Rick Blangiardi, Hawaii Bowl Executive Director Jim Donovan, Hawaii Community College Chancellor Rockne Freitas, San Jose State football coach Dick Tomey and Kamehameha Hawaii athletic director Bob Wagner. All have extensive local ties; four are former UH players and/or coaches.

IMO, all great candidates...but I take issue with one of em. :rolleyes:

nachodaddy

January 8th, 2008, 03:52 PM

I am no going to post this in the other thread cuz it got too weird but a couple of questions for you locals.

Do you think that the success of Junes Jones was due to the fact that he did not have island ties and came in with a fresh perspective?

I wasn't around when JJ first started but were there trepidations about him not having local ties?

Now the hard question.....

DO you think having local ties help/hinder the candidates for the AD and HC job(s) respectively?

AKA can someone from left field or Iowa (just for you Leo) for that matter come in with a winning track record and keep the momentum going?

The reason for my questions is that there is a lot of moving and shaking going on in both the professional and collegiate ranks and a lot of quality people are looking for jobs. As well as a bunch of trash.

ooohhh, ooohhh one more question: which is the cart, which is the horse AKA do you try to hire an AD first or a HC first? One is definitely going to effect the other.

Kalihiboy

January 8th, 2008, 06:02 PM

That and he's more known for hiring Fred Von Appen after letting Bob Wagner go.

Touche. I think Wagner, Tomey, Blangiardi would be the best choices to be the new AD. As for Von Appen and his current ties to Hawaii, his son plays QB for Kalaheo, Cody, I believe his name is. I would not reccomend Von Appen to be AD, an advisor to select a new head coach, possibly yes, but not beyond that.

Aj

Random

January 8th, 2008, 06:05 PM

I just want to vent the following rant:

I cannot believe we have to bribe Frazier to leave!!! WTF?!?!!!! :mad:

Whew.

Random

January 8th, 2008, 06:10 PM

ooohhh, ooohhh one more question: which is the cart, which is the horse AKA do you try to hire an AD first or a HC first? One is definitely going to effect the other.
For now, get one of the associate ADs as interim AD. Then hire the football HC. Have them meet with all the HCs to compile a list of recommended nominees.

scrivener

January 8th, 2008, 06:43 PM

Is Marilyn Moniz-Kahoohanohano still there? If so, I'd like to see her get a shot as interim.

Random

January 8th, 2008, 07:34 PM

Is Marilyn Moniz-Kahoohanohano still there? If so, I'd like to see her get a shot as interim.
Actually, Charles(?) Clapp have been named interim AD on this very day Frazier is being ousted.

Frankie's Market

January 8th, 2008, 07:45 PM

That and he's more known for hiring Fred Von Appen after letting Bob Wagner go.

Well, nobody's perfect!

The important thing is that Hugh Yoshida managed to redeem himself with getting June Jones after the Von Appen fiasco.

I mean, if one bad coaching hire makes the AD's tenure a failure in your own eyes, then Stan Sheriff should be condemned for hiring Frank Arnold as the basketball coach.

Thing is, Sheriff redeemed himself by correcting that mistake with Riley Wallace, the man who would go on to become UH's winningest men's basketball coach ever.

Herman Frazier, OTOH, has no saving grace. He's failed at everthing. Not raising enough money to upgrade the facilities. Alienating longtime athletic boosters. Proscrastinating on the football schedule. Forcing out Riley Wallace and procrastinating on hiring his successor. And now, losing June Jones. His biggest and final blunder. It wasn't the straw that broke the camel's back. More like a grand piano being dropped.

Random

January 8th, 2008, 08:07 PM

Well, nobody's perfect!

The important thing is that Hugh Yoshida managed to redeem himself with getting June Jones after the Von Appen fiasco.

I mean, if one bad coaching hire makes the AD's tenure a failure in your own eyes, then Stan Sheriff should be condemned for hiring Frank Arnold as the basketball coach.

Thing is, Sheriff redeemed himself by correcting that mistake with Riley Wallace, the man who would go on to become UH's winningest men's basketball coach ever.
Hey, I don't speak ill of the dead, unless it's Hitler, Dahmer, etc.

Kittrick

January 8th, 2008, 08:50 PM

I know this is probably going to burn you guys up more, but this is from an Advertiser article (http://honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080108/NEWS01/801080344/1001) today:

The beginning of the end of June Jones' tenure as the University of Hawai'i's head football coach could be traced to March 2006.

The Warriors had finished 5-7 in 2005. But Jones believed the core of first-year starters — quarterback Colt Brennan, receivers Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullins, defensive lineman Michael Lafaele, and linebackers Adam Leonard and Solomon Elimimian — would help lead the Warriors to the brink of a success.

To fulfill that potential, Jones felt, two moves were needed. Jones wanted to rehire Dennis McKnight, who left the program in 2000, to become the offensive line coach. Jones also wanted to create a fundraising position for his mentor, Darrell "Mouse" Davis, who had served as offensive assistant coach in 2005.

Jones approached Athletics Director Herman Frazier with a unique offer. Jones was entering the fourth season of a five-year contract in which he earned $800,016 annually, half of which was paid from donations.

Jones offered to sign a new five-year contract, taking a large pay cut that would reduce his annual salary to $500,000. The savings, Jones said, would be used to hire McKnight, create a non-coaching position for Davis, and boost the recruiting budget. The only stipulation was the deal needed to be completed in time for the start of spring practice in April.

Frazier rejected Jones' offer.

The two never discussed terms of a contract proposal again until last Thursday — the day Jones received a proposal outline from Southern Methodist University.

...

On Christmas Eve, Steinberg sent Frazier an e-mail asking permission to listen to offers from other schools. Frazier approved the request.

Good riddance!

Frankie's Market

January 8th, 2008, 10:31 PM

I know this is probably going to burn you guys up more, but this is from an Advertiser article (http://honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080108/NEWS01/801080344/1001) today:

I don't think I can be burned up any more than I was when JJ officially announced his leaving yesterday. :mad:

But that article (along with the complete unedited e-mail that June Jones wrote to Herman Frazier) should pretty much convince anyone who holds June responsible for this mess. Clearly, our do-nothing AD is the real culprit, not June. And our "esteemed" UH president David McClain, who was stupid enough to trust that incompetent AD with handling the negotiations and sitting on his hands until only the last few days, when it was too late. Frazier gets fired (as he should.) But McClain thinks he can get away scott-free by just issuing an apology? I say we can his sorry okole too, along with the chancellor!

Good fer nuthin', overpaid bums! All of 'em! :mad:

Random

January 10th, 2008, 11:02 PM

I don't think I can be burned up any more than I was when JJ officially announced his leaving yesterday. :mad:

But that article (along with the complete unedited e-mail that June Jones wrote to Herman Frazier) should pretty much convince anyone who holds June responsible for this mess. Clearly, our do-nothing AD is the real culprit, not June. And our "esteemed" UH president David McClain, who was stupid enough to trust that incompetent AD with handling the negotiations and sitting on his hands until only the last few days, when it was too late. Frazier gets fired (as he should.) But McClain thinks he can get away scott-free by just issuing an apology? I say we can his sorry okole too, along with the chancellor!

Good fer nuthin', overpaid bums! All of 'em! :mad:
Is it me or is there a revolving door installed in front of the UH President's office? :p

oceanpacific

January 11th, 2008, 12:10 PM

Herman Frazier is the WORST hire in UH history. WORSE then Frank Arnold and Fred vonAppen: those two were only around for two and three years, respectively, and affected only their sports. Frazier had been blundering around for 5-1/2 years, threatening o bring down the entire athletic program.

It didn't have to be that way, but Frazier is a LAZY ASS PROCRASTINATOR who masqueraded as an athletic director.

Second worst hire: Evan Dobelle (Dumbbell to many) as UH president. It was Dobelle who hired Frazier as AD. Dobelle was partial to "celebrity" hires. Frazier filled the bill as an Olympic gold medalist.