With the resignation of June Jones and the firing of athletics director Herman Frazier, problems at the University of Hawaii have been put in the spotlight. The focus for school leaders is investing in facility upgrades and making new hires quickly.

The first UH Board of Regents gathering since the Sugar Bowl and the ensuing drama was part celebration, thanking the coaches and players.

"Just knowing that we've done so much to touch the state, it just feels great to know that everybody's behind us,” said UH linebacker Adam Leonard.

Then the spotlight quickly turned to the university over money and facilities.

“I'm glad the light is shining on it now, but there's been a lot of light needed on it for a long time,” said boardmember Kitty Lagaretta.

It's attention that might not have been paid if not for the athletic upheaval and it could bode well for the whole 10-campus system.

“Without a major effort and change in how we do business we will continue to have brilliant moments of greatness that dim quickly,” said UH Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw.

Part of that business is how the athletics department is run. An audit regents are reviewing revealed some good news, and some not so good.

The department had its first true year in the black in a long while -- a $68,000 gain.

But a pittance spent on things like repair and maintenance, just $87,000, and football recruiting just $50,000. They spend more than those two combined just on lights and phones -- $168,000 for utilities.

But the tide appears to be turning, with the administration ready to spend up to $1.16 million a year for a head football coach. They talked in executive session that no longer will they rely on private pledges for half the money.

"Of course we welcome donations to the program for the purpose of supporting the coach's salary, but we're not going to be hung up on any particular proportion,” said UH President David McClain, who said a private booster pledge of $875,000 toward June Jones’ last contract fell short with $455,000 raised.

“Inevitably not all pledge goals are met, and not all pledges are fulfilled,” McClain said.

Instead, the next coach’s salary will come from whatever mix of booster money comes in, plus athletic and general funds. Also in executive session, they talked about more than just the head football coach.

"One of the things the chancellor and I are committed to is raising the compensation level for all the coaches,” McClain said, “and that i think is essential to having an effective and high-performing program."
Still to be decided, when the regents will formally approve the Herman Frazier $312,000 buyout.

As for the head coach hire, members of the search committee are expected to be named by tomorrow.