Yoshida to retire as University of Hawaii athletic director Hugh Yoshida, 61, confirmed last night that he would announce his retirement at a news conference on campus this afternoon.
UH athletic director
Dick Tomey is touted as a top
replacement but is not sure
he is interested in the jobBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comYoshida said he will end a nearly 10-year tenure on Dec. 31, which closes out his current contract.
"That's accurate," Yoshida told the Star-Bulletin last night.
He said he is not sure of his future plans.
"I'm just really happy to have had the opportunity to work here and experience heading a Division I program. I feel very blessed," Yoshida said. "Right now, it's still 10 months out from retirement and there are a lot of options out there. I will be doing something, whether it's playing golf, spending more time with my family or doing a job."
Yoshida was offered a job upon his retirement as a special assistant to UH president Evan Dobelle. But he turned down the post that would include building intercollegiate athletic programs from scratch at the UH system's community college level.
Yoshida became UH athletic director when his predecessor, Stan Sheriff, died in January 1993. He was associate athletic director in 1992.
Prior to that, Yoshida was a successful high school football coach and athletic director, mostly at Leilehua High School. He was also the executive secretary of the Oahu Interscholastic Association.
Dobelle said, " Hugh's been dedicated to the young people of Hawaii for 30 years. He's at the top of his game. Sometimes it's nice to leave while the band's still playing."
Yoshida, who was born in Kapaa, Kauai, is a 1958 graduate of Iolani School and earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Linfield College in Oregon, where he was an NAIA All-American in football. Yoshida is the 16th athletic director at the University of Hawaii. He is the first American of Japanese ancestry to hold such a Division I post nationwide.
Former UH and Arizona football coach Dick Tomey, 63, is considered a top candidate to replace Yoshida. But Tomey, who was an analyst for UH football telecasts last year, said he is not sure what he wants to do in the future.
"I tried very hard to get the Cal (football coaching) job, and as recently as last week I talked to someone about a coaching job," Tomey said. "Then there's broadcasting. There are a lot of options.
"I'd need to think a lot about (the UH athletic director's position). I really don't know the process or the timetable," he added. "At this point the biggest feeling I have is nothing but admiration for the job Hugh's done. Hugh will be a tough guy to replace."
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