The search for a new athletic director at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is set to begin immediately, with the goal of having a new leader in place by the end of summer, or possibly earlier if the process progresses smoothly, according to new UH President Wendy Hensel. Hensel, who officially started as president of the state’s 10-campus public higher education system on January 1, provided the update during her first UH Board of Regents meeting on January 16, at UH West Oʻahu.
“I was waiting for this conversation to fully understand the charge and advice from the Board of Regents,” said Hensel after the regents discussed the issue. ”We are aiming to have someone in place by the end of the summer—or, if we’re lucky, by the beginning of the summer.”
Hensel emphasized her commitment to conducting a transparent and inclusive search process, underscoring the importance of finding the right leader to guide UH Mānoa athletics during a time of significant change.
“I recognize the importance of this issue and the responsibility it carries, especially during a time of transition—not just for the university, but for collegiate athletics in general,” she said.
To ensure the process is effective and thorough, Hensel said the university will engage search firms with expertise in athletic leadership recruitment. These firms will work closely with a search committee to identify and evaluate candidates.
“Search firms have specialized teams that handle this type of work, and we will reach out to them to begin the process expeditiously,” Hensel explained. “Our goal is to be as transparent as possible with the community throughout.”
The next steps include securing a search firm, forming a search committee and seeking input. Hensel shared that initial conversations to identify members to help in the search are already underway, with a focus on assembling a diverse and representative committee that includes multiple stakeholder groups.
Hensel also expressed her gratitude to the UH ʻohana and the broader community for their feedback and support.
“This issue has received significant attention, and I appreciate the weight of it. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work together on such an important matter,” she said.
The university will provide regular updates throughout the search process. The new athletic director will replace Craig Angelos, whose last day in the role was on December 1, 2024. In the interim, Associate Athletic Director Lois Manin is serving as acting athletic director until a permanent successor is appointed.
