University of Hawaii abruptly fires athletics director Craig Angelos after 18 months

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The University of Hawaii fired athletics director Craig Angelos Tuesday in a stunning shakeup that left Angelos “completely blindsided.”
His last day is Dec. 1.
The university called the decision “a confidential personnel matter” based on performance:
“President David Lassner met regularly with AD Angelos since he was hired, as he does with all his direct reports. Lassner made the decision to part ways with Angelos based on performance. This action is taking place now following the completion of the search for the new UH president.
“Lassner is appreciative that Angelos is remaining through December 1 to assist with the transition. The University remains grateful for his efforts and his dedication to UH Mānoa athletics, and wishes him the very best in the future.”
Angelos had only been on the job for 18 months. He was not under contract as an at-will hire, meaning he could be let go or leave at any time during his tenure.
During his short stint as athletics director, he tackled many initiatives, including:
Angelos released the following statement:
“When I said it would be a dream to serve as the Athletics Director at the University of Hawai’i—I truly meant it. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here, I loved the people and this community. That’s why I was completely blindsided when I learned of the outgoing President’s decision to part ways. When I asked for the reason, he cited my performance—a response that absolutely shocked me because I thought things had been going pretty well for our athletics department.
“In a short amount of time, I believe we accomplished so much like creating new revenue streams, hiring a ticket sales team, revamping fundraising efforts, focusing on NIL initiatives, navigating the effects of the NCAA House settlement, securing a place in the Mountain West Conference while eliminating travel subsidies, arranging charter flights for the football team, negotiating a record-breaking apparel deal, developing a facilities master plan, collaborating with the stadium authority on the new Aloha Stadium project, and balancing the budget for the past two years.
“There is still much more to be done, but I thought we were on the right track.
“I understand some may wonder if there were other factors contributing to the separation, especially if my performance seemed to be going well. I want to assure everyone that there is no ‘smoking gun’ here—no hint of impropriety or malfeasance, either personally or professionally. I have always treated people with kindness and respect and have done what is best for the athletic department at all times.
“While my record speaks for itself, I remain grateful to the President for hiring me and giving me the opportunity to serve as the Athletic Director at the University of Hawai’i. It was truly an honor.
“As I move forward, I want to sincerely thank everyone for their support. I am especially grateful to the student-athletes, head and assistant coaches, staff, tremendous donors, the Board of Regents, legislators, and all the friends of the program. Throughout my time here, I always felt a tremendous amount of support from them.
“I loved being here and am truly saddened to be leaving. Nevertheless, I depart with my head held high, grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this community. I take pride in knowing we did things the right way and achieved meaningful results. Now, it’s time to move forward and seek the next great opportunity in intercollegiate athletics—a career I have loved for 30 years.
“So for the last time….Go Bows!!!!”
The university says associate athletic director Lois Manin will serve as the acting athletic director starting Dec. 2, and an announcement about a future search will be made by incoming UH President Wendy Hensel after the new year.
Many former and current UH athletes posted on social media, most of them in utter shock at the decision, and an online petition was started in support of Angelos.
Hawaii News Now spoke with former KGMB sports director and UH supporter Larry Beil, who says he just talked with Angelos Monday night.
“I’m completely shocked actually, because I had just texted Craig, congratulating him on the new Nike deal and the entrance full-time into the Mountain West Conference,” Beil said. “He texted me back and said, ‘Thank you so much, except they’re firing me tomorrow.’ I thought he was joking at first.”
Beil said, “It’s extremely unusual for a president, an outgoing president of a university with one month left in his tenure, to make a move like this. Normally you would want that for an incoming president to decide and make an evaluation.”
Rich Miano, sports commentator and former UH coach, says the move could derail the progression of UH athletics.
“You look at the last 18 months and you see this Mountain West Conference deal, you see what is a potential new apparel deal, you see some things that are actually happening that seem to be so positive within this athletics administration,” Miano said.
“I mean, there probably are better candidates out there, but will we, the University of Hawaii, the people, select the right candidate? The track record has been so bad in so many areas, and I’m talking from governors to athletic directors to football coaches,” he said.
“We don’t have a stadium. We don’t have a grass practice field. We don’t have our performance center. We don’t have a nutritional center. We are 133rd out of 133 teams in facilities,” Miano said.
“We continue to make choices that would kind of define the definition of insanity,” he concluded. “If we want to be a Division I athletic program, we need to start acting like one, and so this selection, just as elections, have great consequences.”
UH coaches met with Angelos in a private meeting at the Stan Sheriff Center Tuesday morning. Many we spoke with declined to comment on the situation.
Previously, Angelos served as the deputy athletics director at Long Island University and helped secure funding for a 30,000-seat stadium during his time at Florida Atlantic University.
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