Today, the task of finding the Silverswords' sixth coach - and fourth athletic director - drew one step closer to completion. The last of the 10 semifinalists were to be interviewed by telephone this morning with the search committee this afternoon recommending three finalists to school president Sue Wesselkamper and vice-president Rodney Kilcup.
Seven mainland candidates and three from Hawaii, including former Chaminade coach Merv Lopes, were being considered. The two other "local" semifinalists were current Silversword assistants Thomas Louden and Dan Marcus.
Also in the running was Seattle Pacific assistant Jeff Hironaka. Former University of Hawaii assistant Jamie Dixon, now an assistant at Northern Arizona and ex-Hawaii Loa coach Steve Tucker were among the 140 applicants but not included in the list of semifinalists.
"We hope to bring the three (finalists) on campus for more interviews next week," said Karon Jahn, Chaminade's dean of student services and acting athletic director. "While I've enjoyed my time as athletic director, I'm ready to return to what I do best when we hire the best person we can for the job.
"It is a difficult position to fill and we hope to have it filled within the next week or two. The ideal person has NCAA (administrative) experience and will be able to keep our standards and values of being a Catholic institution. It's not just about winning and losing, it's about attracting quality student-athletes and building a balanced athletic program."
Chaminade, which moved from the NAIA level to NCAA Division II in 1989-90, offers eight sports, four each for men and women. Men's basketball and women's volleyball compete in the Pacific West Conference with Hawaii-Hilo.
Among the top candidates were:
Lopes, 63, who left Chaminade after 12 seasons in 1989 and moved to the Big Island. He retired last week from the Department of Education.
It was under Lopes' reign that Chaminade first stunned the basketball world in 1982 with its upset of then-No. 1 Virginia. The Silverswords also defeated ranked teams Louisville (1983 and '84) and Southern Methodist (1984).
Louden, 38, a Silversword assistant under Lopes for three years and under Doucette the past three years. After helping Independence (Mo.) Community College to two junior college championships, the point guard transferred to the University of Hawaii and played two seasons.
Louden was a Rainbow assistant for three years and also was the athletic director and boys varsity basketball coach at Maryknoll High School.
Dan Marcus, 25, an assistant coach and the Silversword sports information director for two years. He also is a former assistant coach at St. Louis School.
If named, Marcus would be the youngest NCAA head coach in the country.
Jeff Hironaka, 39, an assistant coach for five seasons at Seattle Pacific, a perennial power in the Pacific West Conference. Following his playing career at Eastern Oregon State, he had assistant coaching stints at Idaho State and The Master's College.
Hironaka holds a degree in athletic administration and is also being considered for the head coaching job at Alaska-Fairbanks.