Regents confirm Matt Elliott as Hawaii’s new athletic director | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Matt Elliott, a key administrator at UCLA for 13 years and with the Hawaii Community Foundation for the past 18 months, today was named as the University of Hawaii’s athletic director.

Two weeks ago, UH president Wendy Hensel recommended Elliott from an initial field of more than 110 applicants. Hensel’s recommendation was confirmed during today’s special Board of Regents meeting on the UH Manoa campus.

“I think the University of Hawaii attracts excellence,” Hensel said. “And we should expect we can bring in talent at the highest level. That’s what I was looking for. It was somebody who had vision, who had the ability to be strategic in a moment when almost every part of of intercollegiate athletics is changing all at the same time.”

Elliott, 48, will sign a five-year contract valued at about $425,000 annually. His predecessor, Craig Angelos, whose 18-month tenure was terminated last Dec. 1, had an at-will agreement — no contract — with then-UH president David Lassner. Angelos’ annual salary was $348,000. Lassner retired on Dec. 31.

Elliott’s official start date is June 30. “Even though I don’t start for two weeks, the job is about gathering information,” Elliott said.

Among the concerns are UH becoming a full member of the Mountain West Conference on July 1, 2026, negotiating a gap-year contract with Spectrum Sports, monitoring plans to replace Aloha Stadium, and meeting requirements of a recent House vs. NCAA settlement that will require Division I schools to compensate former student-athletes for lost potential income from use of their name, images and likeness.

“I want to prepare us for what’s next,” Elliott said. “Colleges athletics is changing significantly. The House settlement means we’re going into a new era. I want to take us from where we are to get ready for that and be exceptional in what we do every day. That’s the job.”

A search firm and search committee whittled the list of applicants to 10 semifinalists. Hensel had 45-minute Zoom meetings with each of the 10. Hensel’s four finalists matched the search committee’s choices. The finalists met with Hensel and the committee for in-person interviews. Hensel had one-hour meetings with each of the finalists, and went through their references and background checks. The finalists also met with Gov. Josh Green and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi.

On June 4, Hensel told Elliott of her decision. Hensel announced the recommendation on social media the next day.

“I thought our finalists were excellent across the board, all of them would be a good fit,” Hensel said today. “Matt was exceptional in standing out to me in all categories.”

This morning, Hensel made an official recommendation during the meeting. Ten regents then met in a 30-minute executive session. The regents unanimously approved Elliott.

Gabe Lee, BOR chair and co-chair of the search committee, described Elliott as the “best overall candidate.”

Regent Lauren Akitake said Elliott’s law background will be useful in leading UH’s 21-sports program. Elliott has a law degree from Northwestern University.

This was the most public hire for Hensel, whose UH tenure began on Jan. 1. “It’s a big deal,” Hensel said. “I always want to hit a home run (with a hire). There is no question. And Matt and I talked about this: ‘You are highly visible. What you do will be scrutinized not just for you, but for me and the university.’ For me to pick somebody I have a high level of confidence in was just a necessity. I’m so excited where we ended up, and I think the public is, as well. I take it as a home run.”