Matt Elliott, who was key in reshaping the college football landscape as a UCLA administrator, is set to be named the University of Hawaii’s athletic director.
UH President Wendy Hensel announced on X (formerly known as Twitter) that “after a national search, I’m recommending Matt Elliott as the next @HawaiiAthletics AD. With (13) years at UCLA, he’s well qualified to lead our D1 program.”
Hensel’s choice still needs final approval from UH’s Board of Regents. The recommendation will be added to the agenda of the board’s June 16 meeting.
If approved, Elliott will succeed Craig Angelos, who was fired Dec. 1, 2024, after 18 months as UH’s sports leader. Lois Manin, UH’s associate athletic director for internal operations and senior woman administrator, has been serving as acting athletic director.
Elliott will receive a multi-year contract and also will be allowed to hire his own staff, according to a person familiar with the situation. Angelos had an at-will agreement — no formal contract — and answered directly to then-UH president David Lassner, who retired last Dec. 31. Angelos’ annual salary was $348,000. He received $87,000 in severance compensation.
“I am honored to join UH at such a pivotal time in college athletics, and I want to thank President Hensel and the selection committee for their dedication, thoughtful leadership and the trust they’ve placed in me,” Elliott said in a UH-issued news release. “I am committed to leading a program that reflects the pride and excellence of our local community. It will be a privilege to partner with our student-athletes, coaches and fans to chart an ambitious and unified path forward.”
Elliott was with UCLA for 13 years. As UCLA’s chief strategy officer, Elliott spearheaded UCLA’s move from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten. Nine other schools also departed what was once the most prestigious league in the West, leading to further growth of power conferences and battles to restock the Pac-12.
“Every decision or idea about UCLA’s move to the Big Ten has run through Matt Elliott,” the New York Times wrote in a story that first appeared on July 30, 2023, and was updated on April 6, 2024.
Elliott implemented several improvements to the Bruins’ meal plans and accommodations. Prior to that, according to a UH release, “his overall scope of work included sport oversight, legal affairs, NIL policy, government relations, head coach searches, compliance and supervision of athletic performance and sports medicine.”
Most recently, Elliott has served as senior policy director at the Hawaii Community Foundation. The non-profit organization has been instrumental in working with the Maui Strong Fund.
Elliott, who grew up in Framingham, Mass., has a bachelor’s degree from Amherst College and a juris doctor from Northwestern University. He was a law clerk for the late U.S. District Judge Alan Kay.
There were more than 110 applicants, UH announced. A search firm, search committee and select consultants recommended three finalists: Elliott; George Killebrew, a Punahou School graduate who is the chief revenue officer of the United Pickleball Association and former executive vice president and chief revenue officer for the Dallas Mavericks; and UC Riverside athletic director Wesley Mallette. The three finalists had in-person interviews with Hensel, and met with community and business leaders, including Gov. Josh Green and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi.
“This was the most engaged, thoughtful and well-rounded search committee I’ve ever worked with at the university,” said Jack Tsui, co-chair of the search committee, said in a news release. “We had excellent support from Parker Executive Search and deeply appreciated President Hensel’s active involvement throughout. We prioritized Division I experience, fundraising ability and local ties, and I’m confident we’ve selected a leader who truly understands UH, the values it represents, and has the leadership skills to lead us in a rapidly changing environment.”
