UP yet to start new head coach hiring ‘process’

MANILA, Philippines – Close to two weeks after the official departure of Rey Madrid, University of the Philippines has yet to start the “process” of finding a new head coach for the Fighting Maroons.

Madrid, who went 1-13 in UAAP Season 77 in 2014 as the Fighting Maroons’ head coach, was officially let go after his contract expired on December 31, 2014. 

“Hindi pa kami nag u-umpisa nang process,” UP’s UAAP Board representative Ronnie Dizer told Rappler during an interview on Tuesday, January 13. 

(We haven’t started the process of finding a new head coach yet.) 

A few months back, UP formed a select committee composed of Fighting Maroons team manager Dan Palami, Athletic Director Ariel Juliano, retired College of Human Kinetics Dean Art Isidro, College of Engineering Dean Aurora Matias, and former UST Growling Tigers head coach Pido Jarencio to find a new head coach for the university’s basketball team. 

But due to the busy schedule of Palami in December, the committee was unable to commence the process of filling up the head coaching vacancy.  

And with the basketball tournament of the next UAAP season scheduled to start still nine months from now, the university isn’t in a rush to hire a new coach. 

“December kasi, busy si Dan Palami sa Azkals (a team he also manages),” Dizer said. 

The Philippine Azkals participated in the AFC Suzuki Cup, which concluded last month.  

“So anyway, na-move naman ang [academic] calendar. September pa ang UAAP.”

(Dan Palami was busy with the Azkals in December. The academic calendar was moved. The UAAP only starts in September.) 

The committee had previously said in November that they would appoint a new head coach by December 15, 2014.  

Then a few weeks later, Dizer stated that they had requested for more time to screen applicants and would announce a new head coach likely by January.

But with the UAAP basketball tournament now starting in September instead of July and due to Palami’s busy schedule the past month, it might take some more time before the team acquires a new head coach. 

“They (the committee) feel there’s no reason to be in a hurry. Dan Palami requested and the alumni requested (for more time) and the Chancellor (Dr. Michael Lim Tan) agreed.” 

In the meantime, Dizer said that UP basketball team has been keeping busy with an interim trainer in practices.

“Meron naman kaming mga regular practices.”

(We’ve been having regular practices.)

In a previous interview, Dizer said that around 10-11 head coaches sent applications to become the Fighting Maroons’ next head coach – some of whom are former PBA head coaches. 

– Rappler.com