[ HPU ATHLETICS ]
HPU’s Dung steps down
The AD and coach wants to
devote more time to his family
The Russell Dung era at Hawaii Pacific is over after only two years.
Dung resigned from the school's athletics director and head basketball coaching jobs yesterday, citing the demands of each.
"They are just two jobs that take a lot of attention," said Dung, who will stay on until the end of June. "Coaching is stressful enough without having another job piled on top of it. It is just the right time."
Dung took over for Tony Sellitto, who won 295 games in 14 years on the job, two years ago and won 11 of his first 12 games. He went 15-26 the rest of the way, though, and finished with a 26-27 record.
Dung says he will accept a job in the school's athletic department, and has been invited to have a say in who his successor will be. He plans to concentrate on compliance for the school that recently forfeited all matches played by its top-ranked tennis program for using an ineligible player.
Dung said the resignation was his idea, that he was not pushed into resigning because the tennis situation happened on his watch. The demands of both jobs were just more than he anticipated, especially since he has a 15-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter to devote his time to as well.
"To be successful as a head coach and concurrently serve as athletics director of a major university take a great deal of time, and the anxiety level is constantly high," Dung said. "The older you become, the more important health is. Plus, my children are now entering competitive athletics and I want to be more flexible in my schedule to watch them progress."
Dung, who was Sellitto's top assistant and has been coaching for 32 years, was offered the job based on a glowing recommendation from Sellitto. HPU President Chatt Wright said a national search will begin immediately.
The job comes with its own special set of challenges, including a lack of facilities and competing in 10 sports in a conference that reaches as far East as Silver City, N.M., and as far north as Billings, Mont.
"It is a very difficult and demanding job when you don't have the entire program at your fingertips," Sellitto said. "I'm proud of Russell for the job he did."
Dung is proud of his legacy as well.
"I felt when the opportunity came around I had to try it to say I did it," Dung said. "And I think I did it right. Basketball is still a game I love, but after a while it takes its toll and becomes overwhelming."
Although Dung expects to find a seat next to Sellitto at HPU's home games, he will be missed by his rivals in the conference. Brigham Young-Hawaii's Ken Wagner and Chaminade's Aaron Greiss also double up as their schools' basketball coach and athletic director.
"It is a loss for Hawaii Pacific," Greiss said. "I have always liked Russell and it is not easy dealing with all of the issues of being an athletic director and staying on top of your game in basketball as well. It's a challenge."