After several days of negotiation and yet one more last-minute delay, the University of Hawai'i has officially severed ties with embattled Athletics Director Herman Frazier at a cost of $312,510.

According to university spokesman Gregg Takayama, the mutual agreement allowed for Frazier to be fired "without cause," allowing him to collect on one year of salary — $250,000 — plus prorated compensation for the 90 days notice required in Frazier's contract.

Associate Athletics Director Carl Clapp is expected to be named acting athletic director.

While UH President David McClain was critical of Frazier's performance, particularly his handling of former football coach June Jones' contract, firing Frazier "with cause" would have put the legal burden of proving Frazier's mismanagement on the university, something administrators are loathe to do after a similar action against former UH President Evan Dobelle failed to stand up in court.

"Herman has always been good to me," said women's volleyball coach Dave Shoji. "He obviously treated me fairly and was always supportive of my program, but I understand that he lost the confidence of the general public.

"You hate to see anyone lose his job and I feel for Herman. But at this point in time, I think the administration needed to make this change."

Takayama said negotiations for the termination had been under way "for several days."

Jones — who expressed his disappointment in the administration's commitment to improving facilities and in the handling of his contract in a goodbye letter to friends — resigned at UH on Sunday and officially accepted the head coaching job at Southern Methodist University on Monday.

At a news conference Monday, McClain and UH-Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw said that an announcement concerning Frazier's future would be made yesterday. That announcement was delayed until after 3 p.m., reportedly because of a "snag" in negotiations. Media outlets expecting to be called for a news conference were instead e-mailed a news release.

WAITING ON APPROVAL

The terms of Frazier's termination, and Clapp's appointment as acting athletic director, still need to be approved by the UH Board of Regents.

The board has a monthly meeting scheduled this week, but cannot discuss the termination because it is required by law to disclose items on its agenda at least six days in advance. The board could elect to address the issue in a special session before their next scheduled meeting in February.

In the meantime, Clapp will handle the department's day-to-day operations, including working with the administration to secure a new head football coach.

Clapp was not available for comment. Associate Athletics Director John McNamara also declined to comment, citing a request from the administration to withhold comment until the board acts.

An advertisement for the head football coach position was posted on the UH Web site yesterday, and is also included in today's Advertiser.

UH administrators asked for and received a waiver from the Hawai'i Government Employees Association union allowing it to post the position for only five days, instead of the 10 days required in its collective bargaining agreement.

Takayama said a selection committee will meet with coaching candidates early next week.

One prominent national coach has already thrown his hat in the ring. Former Michigan State head coach John L. Smith confirmed his interest in the job to The Associated Press, saying, "With 18 years of collegiate head coaching experience and over 130 wins, I would hope that would qualify me as a candidate to be the next head coach at the University of Hawai'i."

UH defensive coordinator Greg McMackin, who had been expected to follow Jones to Southern Methodist University as associate head coach, has shown an interest in succeeding Jones, according to people involved in the process.

NECESSARY MOVE

State Rep. K. Mark Takai, who has spearheaded efforts to address concerns on the university's lower campus, said parting ways with Frazier was necessary for the athletic department to move ahead.

"We need to be prudent and expeditious in hiring a new football coach, and we needed new leadership in the athletic department in order for us to be successful," Takai said. "What happened today is another unfortunate hiccup, but what is encouraging is that the university recognized that change is necessary."

Takai said Frazier's replacement will need to be better at communicating with the university's various partners and constituencies.

"The next athletic director has to be someone with a vision and someone who can articulate that vision not just to players and coaches, but to fans and the business community," Takai said. "The next athletic director will also need to have a great understanding of our corporate community. He needs to have already-established relationships with that community. We can't start fresh again."

Shoji said the ability to work with the community to generate necessary funds for UH's athletic programs should be the "major priority."

"I'd like to see someone who has the confidence and support of the community," he said. "The new athletic director has to be able to go out and raise significant monies for the program. We need a person that the community responds to."

Shoji said he also hopes the next athletic director will respond quickly to the needs of the department and individual programs.

"As a coach, I want to see some of our needs addressed right away, whether it's sweeping the floors or shampooing the carpet," he said. "These are small things that affect our job in recruiting and retaining athletes.

"We need a detail guy. This is something coaches here have been frustrated with all through the years. I've been here for 32 years and some of these things have never been addressed. If it needs to be micromanaged, so be it."

POSSIBLE CANDIDATES

While no action on the AD position can be initiated until the board approves Frazier's termination, several prominent names have already surfaced as possible candidates, including Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl executive director Jim Donovan, Hawai'i High School Athletic Association executive director Keith Amemiya, former UH football coach Dick Tomey, Hawai'i Community College Chancellor Rockne Freitas and KGMB senior vice president and general manager Rick Blangiardi.

Donovan, a former football player and a former associate athletic director at UH, said he has not been formally contacted about the position. He was a finalist for the job in 2003.

"I've learned to listen to everything, but I have a good job, I work with a great team of people to make the Hawai'i Bowl better and better," Donovan said by telephone from California. "Whatever I'm doing, I will always help UH as much as I can."

Amemiya said he has not decided if he will apply for the position.

"It would be a great opportunity to work at the University of Hawai'i but at the same time, I'm happy with what I'm doing now working with all of the high schools across the state," he said.

As UH and its fans bob in the turbulent wake of Jones' and Frazier's departures, Shoji urged a bit of perspective.

"A week ago, we were riding a huge high," he said. "We need to think of the positive things that have gone on for the last few months. We've had WAC championships. The program is on the rise. Everyone was so down when June left, but people need to realize that that happens in college athletics.

"Let's go out and get a good football coach and the best person we can find for athletic director and hope that the public will continue ... to support Hawai'i athletics."

Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.