UH coach Chang gets extension; Hines hits portal

On a busy Monday, University of Hawaii football is losing a key playmaker but will retain head coach Timmy Chang for another two seasons.

Tylan Hines, who has been used as a running back, receiver and returner in his three UH seasons, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser he will enter the NCAA transfer portal next week. Next week Monday is the first day football players may officially declare for the portal. They are allowed to announce their intent ahead of that period.

“It’s free agency every year,” Chang said of the evolving transfer rules that allow players easier movement between schools. “The free-agent market is about to start.”

On Monday’s first day as UH’s acting athletic director, Lois Manin gave Chang a one-year extension that will take him through the 2026 season. Two weeks ago, Craig Angelos was told he would not be retained as athletic director. His 18-month tenure ended Sunday. Angelos did not have a contract. He was an at-will employee who answered directly to David Lassner, who is retiring as UH president at the end of the month.

Chang concluded his third season as head coach of his alma mater with Saturday’s 38-30 victory over New Mexico at the Ching Complex.

He had one year remaining on a four-year contract that he signed on Jan. 23, 2022. For his fourth season, he is set to earn $700,008 on a total compensation package, which includes $290,004 in base salary. The rest will be paid as “bi-monthly retention” bonuses.

In not wanting Chang to enter the final season of a contract, Manin decided to extend his contract a year. As acting AD, that was the most Manin could add to Chang’s original contract.

The Warriors finished 5-7 overall and 3-4 in the Mountain West this season. But they ended their year on a record-setting note when freshman quarterback Micah Alejado, in his first start, threw for 469 yards and five touchdowns against UNM. On Monday, Alejado was named both the Mountain West’s offensive and freshman player of the week.

“I think that night was the greatest performance by a true freshman in his first start that we were able to witness in Hawaii,” Chang said.

Chang praised the overall offense. The Warriors did not allow a sack. Alejado’s passes appeared to strike the targets as receivers hit their marks.

“It was anticipation of those windows and seeing things happen and, in some cases, letting things develop,” Chang said of Alejado. “He was seeing it that night. That’s a credit to film watching and studying and sacrifices he made. But you can’t do it alone. (Receivers) were getting to those areas, to those spots, for him being able to do that. There are a lot of moving parts. It takes 10 other guys to make sure they’re doing their jobs, and they did.”

Chang said the coaches are focused on retaining players and recruiting transfers. Hines’ intent to transfer was not surprising. Chang is bracing for players seeking lucrative deals for their names, images and likeness.

“We can’t be surprised,” Chang said of departures or players being approached by agents of other programs. “We need to be ahead. … We have to anticipate the next move and stay ahead.”

Chang emphasized the need for more support to help UH compete for NIL opportunities.

“To me, this is the time to invest, this is the time to build,” Chang said. “This is the time to make things the way we want to.”