Former Southern California assistant basketball coach Gib Arnold and Chaminade University head coach Matt Mahar interviewed for the vacant men's basketball head coach's position with the University of Hawai'i yesterday afternoon in Waikīkī, according to people familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak on behalf of UH.

They bring to at least three the number of coaches who have formally met with athletic director Jim Donovan and his advisory committee for the vacancy created by last week's firing of Bob Nash.

Saint Mary's associate head coach Kyle Smith met with the group Saturday.

Donovan declined comment except to say, "We're moving expeditiously."

The position was advertised until Friday afternoon and the process has been described as "fluid," meaning that additional candidates could be brought in.

Donovan and the committee are expected to hold additional interviews in Los Angeles on Wednesday when Steve Barnes, an assistant at Southern Mississippi, may be interviewed.

Athletic directors from at least two schools have given Donovan permission to talk to sitting head coaches, officials involved said. The schools are Chaminade and Northern Colorado.

"Matt (Mahar) has our total support in applying for the position," Chaminade athletic director Bill Villa said. "The University of Hawai'i did contact us and as much as we want Matt to stay with us, we think he would be a great fit at UH. He's a great recruiter to Hawai'i and a quality man who always has his team prepared."

But as of early yesterday UH reportedly had not talked to Northern Colorado head coach Tad Boyle. Nor was it believed he has been scheduled for an interview with the committee.

The Bears will play in their first NCAA Division I postseason game tomorrow when they host Portland in the www.CollegeInsider.com Tournament in Greeley, Colo.

Arnold, a Punahou School graduate, spent five seasons at USC. He was head coach at the College of Southern Idaho, and has been an assistant at Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount, Vanderbilt, Utah Valley State College and Provo High School.

Mahar is 81-55 in six seasons as head coach for the NCAA Division II Silverswords, and is a two-time Pacific West Conference coach of the year.

Chaminade finished with a 10-15 record this past season, including a 70-61 loss against the Rainbow Warriors in the Stan Sheriff Center. The Silverswords led by 13 points at halftime of that game, and the 'Bows had to rally in the final four minutes to win.