Ah Mow-Santos leaving Wahine program
Story in Wednesday’s paper
Husband has been re-assigned so the family is moving to Vegas for his new post.
Ah Mow-Santos said it was a happy sad day at today’s exhibition, her last official day as a coach in the arena. sad because she’s leaving everyone who is so important to her, happy for the new adventure.
It’s been hard for her to juggle job, the two kids and taking care of her father while husband has been deployed. So her dad will be moving with them too. Likely will coach club.
Shoji isn’t sure when the opening will be posted. Expects a lot of interest.
Ah Mow-Santos will be missed. Really good, tough but fair coach.
COMMENTS
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Sad to hear about her leaving but wish the best to Robyn and her family in Las Vegas.
If Kawika wasn’t so busy with the Olympics and pro career, this would be a perfect way to start his coaching career.
Cayley Thurlby maybe? I am sure Dave Shoji will hire someone good to replace Robyn.
ugh….this just breaks my heart. 🙁
Especially with Iosia coming in. Robyn would have done wonderful things with her.
This team will be going through some major changes this next year. Robyn already gone and even though Dave has not announced anything, I believe this will be his final year. It’s really scary to imagine this program without Dave at the helm.
Scary, but a part of me is also excited to see who would be interested in the job and what they could do with it. I really believe the next coach will be either PHENOMENAL or HORRIBLE. I don’t think there will be an in between, a gray area. It’s going to go one way or the other.
Still no other 2017 recruits committed yet to the program. This is really, really, really late in the game for recruits to commit. Only Lipscomb as committed, and I would not consider her a game changer type recruit. It’s going to get bumpy everybody…buckle your seat belts.
Good luck to Robyn and her family.
3 Looks that way about this being Shoji’s last year. Hope he brings in another female Asst. i think it would be good for the girls. I’m sure Shoji will help find a good replacement for him when he decides to retire.
Stunned about the loss of Robyn, one of the really great players and coaches for Hawaii. Her role as a buffer between Dave’s instant criticisms and her calm approach to the players will be sorely missed. We need someone who knows how Dave operates, and can supplement his “tough love”approach with caring and patience. This is worse than a loss of a key player!
I am really sorry to see Robyn leave the program. It’s been a treat to watch her all these years as a great player and a great coach. The 9th island’s volleyball scene will be all the better for having her there. Good luck, Robyn!
Agree, Cayley Thurlby would be a great get. She been paying her dues at UCLA.
there will be no shortages of people interested in the job. Shoji was anticipating his phone blowing up.
Having a female should be a priority since Ah Mow-Santos was the only one on staff. Even beach vb is all male.
Thereby seems pretty happy at UCLA.
Will see what happens.
Aloha Robyn, it’s a small world and when Nobel gets out maybe return to the islands.
KANOE KAMANAO
If I were Dave Shoji I’d offer Kanoe Kamanao the job. She was attentive and akamai. Led Hawaii to its only undefeated season as a lone returning starter. Handled a bunch of very strong personalities (Lily Kahumoku, Kim Willoughby, etc.) Played for the National team. Implemented a fast offense in 2002, well before anyone knew what it was.
Ron, don’t know how surprising it is. She’s married to a military man and moving is a way of life.
Things have changed with her family situation since she first started five years ago with her dad in and out of the hospital and not really able to take care of the kids as he did when her husband had long deployments before.
9. she would like to move back when husband retires. Think that is in 6 years.
some good names being thrown out but what has to be considered is, much like recruits, it has to be a mutual desire. someone like a Kamanao has a life with a career and young child.
Thank you to Robyn for time she’s given to the Hawaii program, as a coach (and player!) … maybe your path will lead you back to Hawaii some time down the road.
What about Aven Lee? Is she still coaching? I think she would be a perfect fit. Local, knowledgeable of the game, and a personality that young women can relate with/to.
If not Cayley, maybe Ali Longo or Aneli Cubi- Otineru?
Our daughter has had the benefit of some of the best coaching she’s ever had from Robyn. To quote her, I am better at playing volleyball because of Robyn. I love her! Our family wishes her all the best.
Tara Hittle that’s my choice not sure if she wants to leave Colorado though.
Didn’t get to post on previous thread to say aloha to Jade who made a surprise visit to Hawaii. She looks good; very happy.
And we say aloha to Robyn and many. many thanks for all that you have meant to Wahine Volleyball.
15 Yes, i was also thinking about Hittle but like you said don’t know if she wants to give up her head coaching job at Valor Christian High School and come back here. Maybe Ryan Tsuji can talk to her as i belive they were good friends while she was here. Don’t know if they still are or not. How about that foreign girl that use to play for the Washington Huskies( i think they won the championship in her last year there) Can’t remember her name but i think she is asst for some college in Florida now.I know she played against the Wahine here and on the mainland. I know Shoji will make the right choice.
Awww sooo bummed she’s leaving but completely understand as life goes through ‘seasons’. One thing about Hawai’i is the fact that she has made an impression on us as a sate when she played for UH and as she coached, she will ALWAYS be in our hearts and more then welcome to come back for a visit and hopefully to move back when another season shifts! Best wishes to her and her family! Much aloha Robyn. I know dave will put a lot of thought into who is hired next.
Hittle and Dave would clash just like they did when she played for him. That might not be a bad thing. I like the Ali Longo suggestion. She works well with everyone , she is youthful but very mature, and she studies the game.
No, no, no, no, no! My first choice to replace would be Kari Ambrozich. Yeah, I know she gave up the job on the team to take care of her young family. Nevertheless, she is very competent, knows her volleyball, and has a proven track record as a player and coach. She was a very highly recruited setter out of Minn. but had the misfortune into running into an exceptional Robin Ah Mow. She has shown outstanding commitment to the program and more than earn a chance to return to her old position – if she is still interested.
17 Kazu. Sanja Tomasevic was at Miami but was just hired by new ASU coach Stevie Mussie to join the Sun Devils staff.
17 Thanks. Thought someone like her would be good as she may have connection for Intl players. Oh well, just a thought.
20. don’t think Ambrozich would be interested. She’s very happy with the academic side of the athletic department.
The underlying issue here is Dave’s possible retirement; because new head coaches usually hire their own assistants. So whomever takes Robyn’s place could be out of a job after 1 season. That said, many candidates would be apprehensive about taking the job.
Might it be possible that Dave Shoji would retire this year to prevent this problem from happening? I guess not.
With coach Dave’s possible retirement. Maybe a temporary assignment assistant like Kari Ambrozich could be in order. Where she could go back to her old job. It would be hard to get a highly qualified coach (currently employed) to risk taking the job. ( Cayley Thurlby for example).
Shoji may retire after this season. He may not. One thing he has said to me is that he doesn’t want a farewell tour so that leads me to believe that he will retire after a season is done, not announce before that particular season starts that it would be his last.
http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=36433
new thread up for Thursday