Donovan move supported

Nick Rolovich has good reason to take the expected appointment of Jim Donovan as Hawaii athletic director with a smile.

The Warriors' new quarterbacks coach reflected back to the 2001 season yesterday, when he led Hawaii to a 9-3 record -- but had no bowl game to show for it.

Donovan was instrumental in getting a bowl game started the next year, as executive director of the Hawaii Bowl. That sealed Rolovich's support.

"For me that was a big thing, him bringing that back, because for our year ... it was the year between the Oahu and the Aloha bowls, and the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl," Rolovich said. "I think that him getting that back was good for not only the football program but the state.

"We needed that," Rolovich continued. "So, I appreciate him doing that. I like how he handles himself, and I have no bad experiences with him. I think he'll do a great job."

UH-Manoa chancellor Virginia Hinshaw forwarded Donovan's name to the Board of Regents for approval. That is expected to happen at the BOR's meetings next week.

Hawaii fans outside the Stan Sheriff Center awaiting the start of last night's men's volleyball game were asked for their reaction.

Lori Wilhelm of Mililani said she has faith in Donovan's ability to tie together people from various backgrounds for common goals.

"I think he's experienced and younger, and he has a lot of experience with Hawaii," Wilhelm said.

Volleyball fan Clifton Satsuma said he was still pulling for former Hawaii and current San Jose State football coach Dick Tomey to land the job.

"I thought Tomey was the perfect man, the perfect match," Satsuma said. "(But Donovan), that's good too. He's been around for quite some time."

That last part was important to him. He contrasted it to dismissed athletic director Herman Frazier, who had an extensive background in athletic administration but no prior local experience.