Criticism of how UNCW has handled its search for a head basketball coach has come from more than just local media. Most notably, ESPN’s Andy Katz.

On his “Catching Up on the Coaching Carousel” article written April 8 on ESPN.com, Katz said, “Benny Moss has been out for months and Wilmington still can’t figure out what to do. It thought it had Ed Conroy, but lost him to Tulane.”

Not a lengthy or particularly informative analysis, but it is indicative of the national perception of the UNCW coaching search. Fans and sports writers alike cannot figure out why this process is taking so long. Mike Litos, a well-respected CAA basketball blogger, wrote an article comparing the timelines of Hofstra and UNCW’s coaching searches. Hofstra coach Tom Pecora announced he was leaving for the head-coaching job at Fordham University March 24. The position was filled seven days later. If UNCW’s search goes into the weekend, the Seahawks will have gone without a head coach for more than 80 days.

So what has taken place over the past 80 days? Well, Athletic Director Kelly Mehrtens has offered the job to two candidates. Sort of.

It was reported by the Star-News that Ed Conroy, the head coach of The Citadel, and Joe Dooley, an assistant coach at Kansas, were offered the job. Conroy was the frontrunner for the job but instead took the head coach position at Tulane, which paid him $150,000 more than what UNCW had offered. Dooley denied that any such offer was made and remains at Kansas. Coincidently, Dooley interviewed for the UNCW head coaching position in 2006, but the job was instead offered to then UNC Charlotte assistant Benny Moss.

Also according to the Star-News, 10 other candidates have spoken with Mehrtens about the opening, but no formal offer has been made. That list includes Bob Bender (assistant, Atlanta Hawks), Mark Byington (associate head coach, College of Charleston), Jerry Dunn (administrative specialist, Michigan), Danny Manning (assistant, Kansas), Dave Odom (former coach, Wake Forest and South Carolina), Norm Roberts (former coach, St. John’s), John Shulman (head coach, UT-Chattanooga), Vince Taylor (assistant, Minnesota), Rodney Terry (assistant coach, Texas), and Mike Young (head coach, Wofford).

The most recent discussion came between Mehrtens and Shulman, who met Sunday in Columbia, S.C. about the opening. But at a press conference Monday, Shulman announced he would not be a candidate for the job.

“I have always said it would have to be a very special place to get my family out of Chattanooga,” said Shulman at the press conference. “It is gratifying that the success we’ve had at Chattanooga is noticed along with the interest that comes with it. However, I have a great job in a place I am very fond of.” Shulman took his name out of the running despite the reportedly $100,000 raise he would get if he made the move to Wilmington.

One reason the UNCW coaching search has received criticism is because of the number of coaching vacancies that have been filled during the duration of the search. Since Moss was reassigned on Jan. 28, 24 Division I head coaching jobs have opened and been filled. The average length of coaching searches is just over 13 days, with the longest being Wagner, whose coaching search lasted 36 days (less than half of UNCW’s). Currently, UNCW’s search is the second longest in the nation; the Seahawks trail only Dartmouth, who fired its head coach Jan. 8.

Local frustration over the search has stemmed from the inaccessibility of Mehrtens. She has made very few public comments regarding the search, but did issue a letter on March 26 to Seahawk fans on uncwsports.com, reminding fans “timing is everything.” She further stated, “You should know that we’ve been working diligently to review credentials and communicate with those candidates (and their references) as a part of the process. And while all are anxious to complete the process and regain that sense of strong footing, what’s worth noting is that we have but one opportunity to hire the person who espouses our mission and core values and can lead a winning program.”

The letter offered virtually no factual information regarding the search, but was intended more as a way of reassuring fans her staff and she are working diligently. UNCW Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo sent faculty, staff and students a similar e-mail, which attempted to explain why UNCW was unable to secure Conroy as its head coach. DePaolo referenced two coaches, Bobby Cremins and Gregg Marshall (spelled wrong in the e-mail), who were set to make a move to another school but had a change of heart. The Marshall example, however, isn’t comparable to the Conroy situation. Marshall held a press conference stating he was making the move from Winthrop to the College of Charleston, only to back out the following day. Conroy did not accept an offer nor did he hold a press conference.

So where does UNCW go from here? That is a question only Mehrtens has the answer to, and she better answer it quickly. Donations to The Seahawk Club are down 65 percent from 2002, and dragging out the search much longer will only further anger boosters. Word to future Athletic Directors: 80-day coaching searches are bad for a university.

UNCW Coaching Search Timeline

Jan. 28- AD Kelly Mehrtens reassigns Benny Moss to another position in the athletic department; Brooks Lee is named interim head coach.

Jan. 29- A press conference is held by Mehrtens and Lee. Mehrtens announces that a national search for a head coach will begin soon.

Feb. 25- The job opening is placed on the Human Resources page of the UNCW Web site.

March 15- Mehrtens announces that a search committee has been formed to begin searching for a head coach. The committee consists of Mehtrens, Seahawk Club Executive Director Tim Duncan, Deputy Athletic Director Pat Howey, and Athletic Council member Tom Barth. Mehrtens tells the Star-News she plans to have a coach in place around April 3-5, right after the Final Four.

March 23- Ed Conroy interviews for the job and is reportedly the leading candidate.

March 26- Mehrtens writes a letter to fans on uncwsports.com. The letter informs fans that she and her committee have “been working diligently to review credentials and communicate with those candidates.”

March 31- It is reported that Conroy has been offered the head coaching position by Mehrtens.

April 5- Conroy interviews for head coaching position at Tulane.

April 6- Conroy accepts offer to become head basketball coach at Tulane.

April 10- Star-News reports UNCW offers Kansas assistant Joe Dooley head coaching job.

April 11- Dooley denies an offer was made and he is no longer considered a candidate. Dooley: “We had conversations, but any speculation about (job) offers are inaccurate.”

April 12- Mehrtens travels to South Carolina to meet with UT-Chattanooga head coach John Shulman about head coaching position.

At a press conference later that day, Shulman says he will not be a candidate for the job. Shulman: “You always have to listen, but that does not mean you don’t love where you are. I have always said it would have to be a very special place to get my family out of Chattanooga.”