The Board of Regents has unanimously approved the appointment of Matt Elliott as the next athletics director for the University of Hawai’i (UH) Mānoa, effective June 30, 2025.The selection,made by UH President Wendy Hensel,followed a national search that included over 110 applicants.

Elliott expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “To the people of Hawaiʻi to the community, to the coaches, the staff, the student-athletes, I’m honored to be your next director of athletics. I’ve been a fan for many years and I’m so excited to now be part of the team. … Together we will build a department that operates on integrity. we will create the best possible student-athlete experience, and we will set our teams up so that they are in a position to win.”

Elliott’s Extensive Experience

“It is a great day for University of Hawaiʻi athletics,” Hensel said.

Elliott brings over a decade of Division I athletics management experience, including 13 years at UCLA. His most recent role was chief strategy officer, where he spearheaded the department’s transition to the Big Ten and developed a five-year strategic plan. Previously, as senior associate athletics director, his responsibilities included sport oversight, legal affairs, NIL policy, government relations, head coach searches, compliance, and supervision of athletic performance and sports medicine.He also contributed to negotiating a $280 million shoe and apparel deal, the largest in college athletics history.

hensel emphasized Elliott’s qualifications: “It is indeed a great day for University of Hawaiʻi athletics. Matt simply stood out from the competition right from the beginning. I personally spent an incredible amount of my time getting to know the candidates, understanding the challenges of the athletics department, and thinking about where we need to go in the future to support our student-athletes to the highest possible levels that we can and be winners and competitive, but also ensure that our students leave here with an excellent experience that they’re proud to claim and call home. From beginning to end Matt was the guy.”

Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

Elliott assumes the role at a critical juncture, facing significant financial and structural challenges. These include the lack of a permanent Division I stadium, the implications of the House v. NCAA antitrust settlement (which allows for direct student-athlete compensation), and increasing disparities in Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) resources.

Since 2024, elliott has been working as senior director of policy and public affairs at the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation. He and his family returned to Hawaiʻi in 2022,having previously clerked in Hawaiʻi after law school.

The search committee, led by UH BOR Chair Gabriel lee and Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation Chair Jack Tsui, prioritized Division I experience, fundraising ability, and connections to Hawaiʻi. The selection process involved multiple interview rounds and input from various stakeholders.

Lee noted, “What impressed me about Matt is that when you look at the college experience, especially on the student-athlete side, he spent a lot of time in that position and then going from the internal position to the external position of chief strategy officer, I see the progression in his career.We just look at how balanced a person is, what their potential is, and how they’re gonna be able to work with the rest of the staff, administration, coaches, as well as the president.”

Elliott’s starting salary will be $425,004, with performance-based incentives. He succeeds Craig Angelos, who left in December. Manin Law has been serving as acting athletics director during the transition.