Ah Mow-Santos to replace Shoji as Wahine coach
As you all have heard by now, Ah Mow-Santos has accepted the job, replacing Shoji as Wahine head coach.
apologize for not getting to this earlier. couple of press conferences and tracking down people.
be back later. have a lot to write
The official statement from UH
Former University of Hawai‘i All-American, Olympian, and assistant coach Robyn Ah Mow-Santos will take over for Dave Shoji as women’s volleyball program’s next head coach, Athletics Director David Matlin announced.
Ah Mow-Santos succeeds Shoji who simultaneously announced his retirement after 42 seasons as head coach. Shoji concludes his legendary coaching career with 1,202 wins, second-most in NCAA Division I history, and four national championships.
“I don’t think anyone will ever match what Dave has accomplished for our Rainbow Wahine volleyball program in terms of longevity and accomplishments,” Matlin said. “He has dedicated more than half of his life to the program and has touched the lives of hundreds of student-athletes. His legacy will live on through his well-deserved induction into the AVCA Hall of Fame and through all the blood, sweat and tears his teams have battled through on the court at Klum Gym and the Teraflex at the Stan Sheriff Center. Rainbow Wahine Volleyball will always raise a glass to Dave Shoji.”
“I’m happy to officially announce my retirement as the Rainbow Wahine volleyball coach,” Shoji said. “After much discussion with my wife Mary and my immediate family we felt the time was right to step away from coaching. I feel truly humbled and honored to have coached for 42 years and I’m grateful for all the support from our great fans, student-athletes, assistant coaches, and administration. The selection of Robyn Ah Mow-Santos is an excellent choice. She has the passion for the game; she found success at every level as a player; and she paid her dues as an assistant coach and is now ready to assume a head coaching position. She will have my full support and I wish her nothing but the best.”
Ah Mow-Santos is only the third head coach in program history. She is considered one of the most decorated players in school history, with an impressive resume that includes three Olympic Games appearances, two first-team All-America selections, and is a member of the school’s Sports Circle of Honor and Hawai‘i Sports Hall of Fame.
“We are excited about the return of Robyn Ah Mow-Santos to the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Wahine Volleyball program,” Matlin said. “There is no other person I can think of who represents the sport of volleyball, the spirit of Hawai‘i, and the heart of a champion more than Robyn. She was impressive as a student-athlete, a leader of Team USA in three Olympic Games and is an incredible role model for all young athletes. I know she will be able to get the best out of her student-athletes both in the classroom and on the court.”
Matlin forwarded his recommendation of Ah Mow-Santos to UH Mānoa interim chancellor David Lassner, who approved the selection yesterday.
“I am excited and humbled at the same time,” Ah Mow-Santos said. “Replacing Dave Shoji is impossible. I will never forget what he has done for me personally as well as the Hawai‘i volleyball program. Dave walked me out of the McKinley High School gym and into the Rainbow Wahine program that created a lot of opportunities for me. It’s a privilege for me to be able to give back to the University and the game that has given me so much. I look forward to reuniting with the student-athletes and hope that I can help create lasting impressions and unforgettable experiences for them.”
From 2011-15, Ah Mow-Santos served as assistant coach under Shoji, mentoring former UH setter Mita Uiato, who earned three all-league and all-region honors and honorable mention All-America status. In 2014, she was on the coaching staff of U.S. Junior National Team for the NORCECA Women’s U-20 Continental Championship. She currently coaches club volleyball for the Vegas Aces.
Following her playing career at UH, Ah Mow-Santos went on to compete for the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team from 1999 to 2008 and was regarded as one of the top international setters in the world. She was the team’s starting setter in the 2000 and ’04 Olympic Games and in 2008, she helped guide Team USA to a silver-medal finish at the Beijing Olympics. She also played professionally in Italy, Portugal and Switzerland. While playing for Volero Zurich in Switzerland, she earned the Swiss League’s most valuable player award.
At UH, Ah Mow-Santos played for Shoji from 1993-96 and was a two-time AVCA first-team All-America selection (1995 and ‘96), and a three-time all-conference performer (1994, ‘95 in Big West and 1996 in WAC). The Honolulu native ranks third in the UH record book in career assists (4,313) and fourth in assists per game (11.23), and in her final two seasons at Hawai‘i, she guided the team to a 66-4 combined record which included an appearance in the NCAA title match in 1996.
At the conclusion of her playing career, Ah Mow-Santos was a student assistant for two seasons as she continued to pursue her bachelor’s degree.
Ah Mow-Santos prepped at McKinley High School in Honolulu where she was a four-year first-team all-Oahu Interscholastic Association East selection and a three-time first team all-state pick. She is married to Niobel Rafael Santos and they have three children.
The exact start date for Ah Mow-Santos has not been determined. “She needs some time to honor previous commitments she has made before she can jump on a plane,” Matlin said.
Anyone who says that are not at least a little worried about this hire is a little naive in MHO. She is a great person almost too nice. She is very bright and game plans and starting lineups should not be a problem. I am just afraid that she will not be able to give recruiting the time it needs because of other commitments i.e. family etc. All we can do is support her and the team like we have when Dave was the coach. I think that whom ever she selects for the assist. position will be key. Jeff is great but he can only do so much.
Agree. Her assistants will be key. Too bad Charlie Wade is not available. Robins calm with Charlie’s Bulldog. Truly hope she retains Jeff Hall. He seems to have a wonderful relationship with the beach girls.
Will be interesting to see who the pairs will be for the beach team. So much to choose from. Competition… Competition
As a HC, Robyn will probably retain Jeff and Kalei at their positions. So Kalei stays at assistant. Recruiting will be in good hands with Jeff and Kalei IMO. What is a concern, IMO is game time moves and decisions, which Shoji was a master at. Robyn, I’m hoping that, has retained all of Shoji’s master moves as the sets progresses. If I recall, Shoji mentioned a while back that whoever is selected as the HC, he will be assisting as a volunteer, at least for the first season to make the transitioning smooth.
I, too was hesitant when I heard this at first but I have faith. I wonder who the other 2 finalists were.
Mahalo Coach Dave and go get ’em Coach Robyn!
Obviously, I love Robyn. I’m a little concerned with her young family, husband in the military and inexperience is a little too much on her plate to add to the head coaching position.
I’m hopeful and excited to see what she will do for the program. But I’m not 100% sold on the hire just yet. But she has my support and will definitely give her time to adjust. I’m sure Norene is happy to have her back as well.
Hi Cindy,
Does this mean that Dave won’t be coaching the exhibition games? That it will only be Jeff Hall? I’d love to see what some of the new recruits can do, and Mags on the OPP position. What ever happens, I’m sure it will be alot of fun to watch!
Congratulations Robyn. Good Luck and Best Wishes on your future endeavors with Rainbow Wahine Volleyball .
The jury is still out on Ah-Mow-Santos; however, one plus is that she has played in the European league (which means she was exposed to a faster brand of volleyball and may have contacts in the European league).
Moreover, she is not bound by any promises made by Shoji (Shoji favorites are no longer guaranteed a spot in the starting lineup.) She was not one of Shoji’s four recommendations to Matlin. (doesn’t owe Shoji any favors)
Personally, I would like to see:
— Emma Smith as the starting libero, (quicker, better passer)
— More time given to Anderson, (mobile and akamai)
— More time given to Sibley and Castillo, (better potential)
— Tryouts for all players to determine their best position (all MH tryout at OH)
— Faster setting and a quicker offense.
Robyn is probably retaining Jeff and Kalei in their present positions, associate and assistant. I see the biggest challenge for her is game time decisions, as we all know Shojis is a master at this. As far as recruiting, I don’t see a recline with the HC change as Jeff and Kalei probably has a good hold of that. And if I recall Shoji has said that he would probably be assisting at the matches for at least this Fall for making the transition more smooth for the new HC.
Congrats Robyn. Nice to see a wahine at the helm.
Very risky hire for a top 20 program considering she wasn’t even an associate head coach under Shoji. Only four years of NCAA coaching experience, excluding the student assistant years. Jeff Hall had more years of NCAA coaching and recruiting experience. A head coach needs to be able to recruit, she/he can’t rely on assistants. But Ah Mow-Santos checks the boxes on the minimum job qualifications posted by UH.
I hope UH makes Hall the full-time beach coach. Could be awkward reporting to someone who was lower on the totem pole a couple of years ago, and someone with a lesser NCAA coaching resume. More awkward if Ah Mow-Santos was the fourth recommended name from Shoji, rather than Hall, as has been rumored elsewhere.
Also don’t understand the relevance of her stellar playing career. Collins-Parker had an awesome playing career but has a middling coaching career. Often, the best players are not the best coaches because they lack the patience to develop players who are less talented.
I hope she does well, because I want the program to continue to succeed, but the risks are evident. Makes me wonder if Dan Fisher even applied, or anyone else of note. Could be a situation in which UH had a limited pool and this is the best Matlin could do, although it might speak volumes about Hall if the beach position remains part-time.
I agree that the recruiting should hold with Hall, and with the addition of Kalei to help recruiting, it should even be stronger.
I think Robin quiet demeanor is deceiving and does not show the fireball that is in her. Some may recall the story told by Deitre Collins, when she assisted John Dunning who was coaching one of the national training squads. Dunning had benched Robin because she was not vocal enough and was not showing the floor leadership he wanted to see. Deitre felt just terrible for Robin. Skip the story forward and three Olympics later, Robin is still on the quiet side but boy did she prove Dunning dead wrong. IMO, Robin will need time but she has the same passion, commitment and love for the wahine that has been driving Dave.
My sister texted me while I was at work today, I was completely floored. Most in part b/c Robin’s name was never thrown around, probably b/c she left the islands to help take care of her father. I understand what people are saying regarding her lack of experience in coaching per-say. But I think she does know the game really well and she has such strong ties to the UH program. Now just b/c someone knows the game really well doesn’t translate into being an effective recruiter, or head coach making split second decisions in the middle of games like playing chess. BUT I was seriously excited when I read that text. Incidentally Savanah Kahakai came into my work place just a few hours after the story broke and I asked her if they had any idea before hand about Robin being considered, they said the team found out this morning and they had no clue she was in the running and she said she & the team is super excited about Robin coming on board. I wonder if b/c Robin is homegrown taken if she can have some sway in pulling in some talented local players in the next coming years…. I.E. IOLANI’S OGLIVE, one can dream can’t I?!?!? I don’t think this is an absolute horrible hire as some people have suggested, I do think she deserves a chance, and I know we didn’t get to give her a proper send off when she left the team & islands to care for her father, but maybe it’s b/c she was coming back anyway and the universe knew it!? lol. Also kinda bummer that she has a child with special needs, thats gottah be tough, but wishing her much of luck in the coming years, I know the fans love her! And congrats to dave on retirement and such an awesome legacy here at UH, enjoy it, u definetly deserve it!
Just reviewed Volleyball Magazine’s Fab 50 list, and UCLA had four recruits named, including 6-3, 6-4, and 6-5 players. Sealy has got UCLA rolling. Dan Fisher has one recruit on the list, great for his Pitt program.
3 of 50 go to non-SEC/ACC/Pac12/Big10/Big12 schools: 2 to BYU and 1 to Marquette. Kentucky has 3 on the list, wow. Interestingly, 22 (or 44%) are at least 6-3. Volleyball is getting taller and taller.
Of the 25 underclassmen to watch, all but 1 are committed, and the 24 are committed to the five major conferences. 6 of 25 (or 24%) are at least 6-3.
http://volleyballmag.com/2017-fab-50/
Mav- I remember during one interview coach Dave said “Robin teaches me stuff”. Agree, great players don’t always make great coaches. But it sures helps to have been there and done that. IMHO I think Robin will do awesome.
14. I’m just elaborating on the risks. More risks require a greater leap of faith from the fans. But I hope you are right and Robyn does great.
14. As in when Donnis Thompson took a chance on an unknown with no collegiate coaching experience 42 years ago?
Bottom line: Although not my 1st choice, Robyn could not do any worse than Dave for the upcoming season. At least she has had the benefit of playing for a number of different coaches and styles, both nationally and internationally.
aloha and mahalo to dave!
congratulations to robyn!!
now that the head coach is in place for na wahine….
they need to seize this for 2020 or soonest!!!
https://prepvolleyball.com/articles/high-school/player-of-the-year/2016-freshman-of-the-year-oglivie-makes-history/347892
Best of luck to Shoji and Ah-Mow Santos! Can we all also remember her name is spelled Robyn, and Baxter’s first name is Kaleo (not Kalei)?
In Fred Lewis story he said that Matling chose Robyn over a Pac 12 coach, wonder who would that be. Looks like Sealy got some giants on his team.
Could it have been Rubio? Or one of the bottom teams in the P12? If a coach cannot recruit to a P12 school, what is the expectation of their ability to recruit to Hawaii?
Robyn is a good get. She may not have been the lead recruiter, but it is almost a guarantee she had a hand in recruiting 95% of the current Wahine.
#17 blunut, your comments regarding Dave are always tasteless, classless, clueless and meaningless.
Coach Robyn has some HUGE SHOES to fill … best of luck to her and the Wahine Program … enjoy retirement Coach Shoji; you’ve earned it and will be missed !!!!!
Robyn has the keys to being a good coach– Volleyball knowledge that is untouchable because of her experience as a setter at the highest level of the game around the world with the best coaches; Leadership and command of the team– she has led several teams at all world level as a setter; Learning from watching not just Dave but rhe best coaches at the world level and as the setter understanding tactics and game planning and systems. The one area she will need help with is recruiting and with a good recruiter to help, I think the program has its best chance to succeed.
RE: #21 Haka
Since you are not a regular on this forum I’ll be succinct. My points are pragmatic and to the point. What you see on this blog is second hand, as Shoji himself gets my input firsthand.
As a season ticket holder and donor to the Wahine program I speak my mind. Know this, my ideas are implemented by Shoji (i.e. Opposite vs Left, D set, MH cutting, fast offense, etc.), and my observations noted.
#24 Know this, my assessment of your comments stand. It doesn’t matter what you say. You show no respect, period. And, BTW, I know Dave also, but have no delusions as you do, in thinking I know better than he. He commands respected criticism, if any, and you exhibit none of that to him. Get off your horse, step down from your self appointed podium and show some respect.
It is always tough to be the man (woman) who follows a legend. Good Luck Robyn!!
Haka should tone it down. And blaase from the previous thread should avoid public shaming. What makes a good blog is the diversity of opinions, and that includes not being thrilled with the new hire. What makes a blog even better is when posters disagree without being disagreeable. It’s great to see many folks support Robyn, but there’s no good reason to attack those who are less than thrilled about the hire. Doesn’t mean you can’t critique someone’s post, but surely there are more constructive ways to do this.
The more interesting question is what Robyn’s supporters will say if UH starts to lose more matches next year? We all saw criticism of Shoji and the coaches this year when the team lost, and I wonder how vehement folks’ criticism will be about Robyn if she doesn’t keep up the winning tradition in the short term. I hope Robyn is given time to adjust.
It shall be interesting and fun.
If Robyn doesn’t retain Jeff Hall to her coaching staff, I hope UH hires him full time for the Beach gig. He seems to be doing well with that sport by keeping Hawaii relevant (with recruiting and matches won) thus far.
Maverick, so you think my comments of him are worse than his incessant negative banter criticizing Coach Shoji? My “tone” offensive? Well, my apologies, but sometimes tone hums the chords both ways.
30. So you justify your bad behavior by saying, essentially, that it is ok because someone else is acting badly? You did it because he/she did it too? This is what children at the playground say.
Maverick, so you calling my posts childish is any different than me saying he is tasteless? Well, I always respect your posts, but not in this instance. He deserves some criticism, even if it be harsh. My disrespect any different from his? My opinion any different form his? His deriding Coach Shoji any different from me on him? I think not. If you want to keep blowing smoke stay by the fire.
32. I would be more sympathetic to your view if you had provided specific support for your assertion that Blu’s comments are “always tasteless, classless, clueless and meaningless.” This is not a critique, but an ad hominem attack, pure name-calling.
But if you want the last word, feel free. After that, let’s agree to move on.
Maverick, I understand what you are saying. I made my point, even if in “attack” mode. My apologies to all other posters. Let’s move on. Mahalo.
Cindy, what a great picture on the front page this morning with Dave and Robyn. Wishing Dave all the best and getting his golf handicap down to single digit territory. I met him several times through a mutual friend, all I can say is addition to being a tremendous volleyball coach that he is TRULY a really, really nice guy with a great sense of humor.
For Robyn, go get um and Ala the best to you too. Her hands were like “silk”, made the volleyball look like a floating marshmallow on sets. Can’t wait!
Sorry, all the best for Robyn
Most bloggers understand that Ah Mow is in a “no-win” situation in that it is almost impossible to do better than Shoji; better meaning they go to the final fours or win the national championship. They still should win better than 75% of their matches given the players on roster, unfortunately the Shoji standard is much higher. It is the future and recruiting that is the underlying concern. Nevertheless, it is great that a local person is given this great challenge and opportunity. She’ll bring a different style and it will be fun to observe.
37. A prescient comment on the “no-win” situation that I had not considered. Even if she wins the BW and goes to the tournament, unless she gets to the E8/F4, she probably won’t get as much credit because she is playing Shoji’s recruits (but if through Y3 or Y4, she continues to make the tournament, then she will get the credit as those players should be a mix of hers and Shoji’s, and she will have demonstrated several years of success). But if the team and program performs poorly over the next couple of years, relative to recent history, then there will be calls for her ouster. Coaches following a legend rarely do well. John Cook of Nebraska and John Dunning of Stanford are two exceptions. Let’s hope Robyn is another example.
38. Mick Haley at USC is another example. If Sealy wins another one, he will join the group. McCutcheon will surpass Hebert at Minnesota if he wins a title. Other legends that will retire in the coming years: Russ Rose, Mary Wise, Brian Gimmillaro.
Interesting fact that I just learned: Dietre Collins-Parker and Brian Gimmillaro inducted into the AVCA hall of fame two years before Dave Shoji.
38. Had to look up “prescient” – having knowledge of events before they take place. Just thought it was kind of obvious. But speaking of different kinds of coaching style, I have always admired Bobbi Awa of Konaewaena HS. Her teams consistently exemplify and magnify what good coaching is all about. And her style is local and low key as you can get but highly, highly successful. It exudes completeness, confidence and respect. If Ah Mow can do what Awa does, albeit at the collegiate level, nothing but success will result.
I don’t have Coach Shoji’s ear nor the credentials of a lot of the other posters. As a season ticket holder, I was dreading Coach’s retirement as this has become an event I look forward to. As most, I didn’t know who could fill his huge shoes. When Coach Santos was announced, I felt relief. I feel she fulfills the coaching aspect (I remember her getting OFF the bench and standing with the girls when she was coaching earlier) but she also holds a special place in a lot of our hearts. Coach Shoji has said he is available for advice and I think that Coach Santo’s does not have a huge ego and will ask for help when needed. I do hope that people are not too hard on her for the first year as the transition will be difficult enough without mean remarks and negative innuendos.
Mahalo, Coach Shoji
Aloha E Komo Mai, Coach Santos
Recruiting, recruiting, recruiting, will make or break her fast. There are 7 seniors on this years roster. That’s a lot to replace for your first year as coach, (ouch)!
42. There are 7 seniors but 3 on scholarship (Greeley, Kahakai, Maglio), 3 DSs not on scholie, and I am not sure about Koelsch. UH has two commits for 2018 in Castaneda and Light. So at least 1, maybe 2 scholies in play. I believe 2 come up the following year when Granato and Castillo are seniors. No commits for 2019 yet.
Would like to see Iosia-caliber commits coming in. UH already lost out on 2018’s Brooklyn Schirmer to USC (I think she is at least part Polynesian). And yes, Ogilvie would be a great get in 2020, particularly if she grows a couple of inches. If Robyn can get her to commit, it will help ease fans’ concerns about recruiting.
Robyn will be excellent with SUPPORT from all who wish to have her, her team and UH succeed. We are kamaaina and malihini island people who understand the meaning of ohana unconditional support instead of complaining, expressing doubt and second guessing…a foreign disease. Enjoy the adventure of a woman’s amateur team….save the destructive concerns for the NFL presidency, immigration and homeless. “all the great masters, including Shoji, were once beginners”.
The one thing I do question is the process that UH chose to find the candidates for selection. Of course they’re not going to release all of the names of the people that applied, so we’ll never truly know what the selection pool consisted of besides a few names that were released. However, I can’t help but wonder how much the fact that the position they were hiring for wasn’t yet vacant limited the number and quality of the candidates. I find it hard to believe certain candidates would put forth their names (even though it was said to be confidential) for a job that may or may not be available and risk the situation at their current employment. Matlin has been spot on so far with his coaching hires so I guess until that proves otherwise, in Matlin we trust. Even saying that though worries me because of the importance of the program. I don’t think this program can afford to have a string of off years and still hope to remain relevant in the national picture with also the haves and have-nots becoming even more separated.
#43. I think 6 (didn’t Maafala redshirt?), with 4 on scholarships – Greeley, Kahakai, Maglio & I believe Koelsch was awarded a scholarship after her first year when Goodman did not return. She opted for indoor after coming here to play beach.
Many of the top 2018s have committed, so UH will need to find a few diamonds in the rough to develop. Several top 2019s have also committed.
Have to hope for the best. Elena Oglivie would be a great start.
45. Yeah, I just read she redshirted, although the UH sports site with the team’s roster doesn’t mention it. So 2 scholies available for 2018. I think holding one back for 2019 may be a good idea if 2018 is now “diamond-in-the-rough” territory. UH is getting one or two of those next season. And Robyn would be helped by a couple of splash signings. Have no idea if 2018 Castaneda is a project, although she was under the radar.
It not hard to see why we can’t get fab 50 recruits. Just look at our campus. It’s not the program, it’s not the Arena/Fans, it’s not the coaches. I take my son back to his dorm weekly. The campus is sad.
50.
Being a commuter school, UH definitely lacks that college campus feel that a lot of other mainland schools have. It of course in the end all comes back to $$
I’ve known Shoji since my days at Cal Poly when his team came to play there. At the time they were Cal Poly’s opponents but I still admired the team for its enthusiasm and great game. After I moved to the Big Island in 1996, I’d visit Oahu on occasion to watch the games at the Stan Sheriff Center. Coach Shoji always remembered me as an enthusiastic fan whether as an opponent or as a supporter. In fact I became a first time supporter back in 1989 when Hawaii came to play at UCSB (I made a special trip from San Luis Obispo), and I’ll always remember that Hawaii won in 5 sets thanks to a record number of kills by Tee Williams (44)! Dave Shoji shook my hand for the first time for coming to support the team and I felt like we were always friends since then. I even wanted Hawaii to host its own national championship but they lost in 5 sets to Long Beach at the regional final in Stockton. What bad luck! Same bad luck in 1999. The happiest match for me was when Hawaii beat the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets, which was Kim Willoughby’s last home match ever in the regional final.
So now I bid Shoji farewell and with him well and hope he enjoys good health in his golden years.
39, 46, and especially 50…point on
Also, Elena Oglivie is a phenom, but i pray she does grow in the next 3 years. It doesnt matter how good you are if you have a 6’6″ outside staring at you. Kim Willoughby and Kanani were 2 true 5’11” players that were super athletic and explosive but in todays ” Land of the Giants” it would be a lot tougher when being HUGE was 6’0 on the OH and 6’2 in the Middle then. Back to the main topic, “Thank you Coach Shoji for making Hawaii Volleyball the NFL sport comparison of other States!” I know Coach Robyn AhMow knows what it takes to compete and will do a great job translating it to the players. She has been there and done that more than any of us blogging. So I guess we need to just stay put and open our hearts to change and a new era. We should just chillax and sit back and enjoy this new ride!!! Lets Go Bows!!!!
Wow. Have to say what a class act Jeff Hall is. So gracious and complimentary of Robyn.
For those who say Robyn is quiet obviously do not know her or had never worked with her. My daughter went to the UH volleyball clinic and she was very vocal and motivating. It is time for a new era. Sad to see Dave go but it is refreshing to see what will be ahead. Remember it has been quite sometime since we won a championship
54 Exactly. Thats what Jeff Hall who he is!! He is a Class Act!! I love this guy!!
Is it just me, or am I crazy to think that the listing of the job opening without an actual opening was done on purpose? I’m pretty sure UH knew that most of the “known” coaches weren’t going to apply if the job wasn’t actually open yet, so they were not going to get criticized for not hiring them. Since Matlin is known to hire younger, less experienced coaches, maybe he didn’t really want them to apply. Maybe this way, somebody who just quit a year ago might want to come back and be a coach. Hmmm
So Kaleo needs to reapply for the job he just got? Or is this a second assistant/replacement for Assoc. Head coach?
http://www.pers.hawaii.edu/wuh/Jobs/NAdvert/24563
It’s a temp hire since Hall will be involved heavily with Beach Volleyball & Ah Mow needs time to transition leaving Baxter by himself.
Maybe someone can clarify how the associate head coach (indoor) and the head coach for beach works, since it seems to be overlapping duty for two separate programs. And, how it rolls up to indoor volleyball, does the associate head coach/ beach head coach answer to head coach of indoor? Seems the PD does not apply to current “times” and there should be a separate PD for each position with accompanying responsibilities.
Would not be surprised if Lindsey was offered a position on staff.
61. I think that would duplicate Robyn’s skill set and experience. And Robyn really needs a strong recruiter. Assuming Baxter is retained, Robyn will keep Hall or get someone new. If new, that person needs to be able to land strong recruits. Lindsey doesn’t fit the bill. Plus it is reported she does better with her LA businesses.
For Hall, I hope UH does right by him and makes him full-time beach coach. Second best thing is to be Robyn’s right hand and part-time beach coach. Would be unfortunate if he were to be the part-time beach coach only.
Now that the legend has retired, the question left is what to name after him? I can’t remember the answer that he gave when I asked him on Stephen Tsai’s show, but I think he wanted a practice gym or something like that. If Cindy can go back in the archives and lookup the show then we can find out.
#62 ditto.
62. Agree , it would be an unneeded duplication. She needs someone who knows and can recruit California. I would really hate to see Jeff go anywhere. I don’t think Baxter has developed the connections needed to be an effective recruiter yet but I don’t really know. She should know if there is anyone in the LV area worth pursuing. As an aside to Robyn’s personality, I used to have a seat right behind the bench and watched as Dave loudly critiqued someone as they came off the floor with Robyn following up with support and “mothering”. It was a good combination.
Did Matlin interview Robyn in person or over the phone ?
I don’t want Oglivie to grow past 6’1 she does and then Stanford offers and it’s over.
I agree we need a solid recruiter on staff that can be on the road extensively maybe with European connections since Coach Robyn has a newborn
How about Lauri Hakala?
Best thing would be for Uh to secure Oglivies commitment then after that she has a huge growth spurt!
She will still be a solid division one outside at 5’10 or a top class libero though.
Think Jeff has demonstrated that he can recruit. Wahine have two verbals for 2018, both look to be quality players. Incoming recruits may not be the tallest but 6′ 2″ ave, with high VB IQ will get it done; we have 4 coming in.
More interested in next year’s style of play. We got a solid team. Now it’ll be a matter of getting them to click. Upcoming spring games with provide a trailer into the future.
Go Wahine!
this year going be tough no matter who the coach is. Life after Nikki. I’m sure coach Robin will change things up. Probable quite a bit. She has own ideas with all that experience.
Shouldn’t be too tough, Yea we will miss Nikki but we have a potential all american setter, and three experienced and good seniors. Hopefully Kalei will be healthy and ready to hit in the fall. If one of the freshman middles steps up or Castillo improves in the middle we can move Mags to the rightside.
I expect big improvement from Burns, Smith and Sibley.
Cal Poly will be tough but they always falter on the road, and Long Beach lost it’s own Nikki, and then also lost their starting setter. The wahine should be favorites to win the big west again.
I remember reading that Oglivie is about 5’11 now. She’ll probably end up being 6’0.
Hall’s recruiting has been solid all things considered. May not be the best recruits, but the best for Hawaii and what they do with their players.
Light and Castaneda are great pick ups tho. I don’t expect anyone to leave…
Out of curiosity, why has LBSU experienced a lot of turnover over the past few years? Does BG wear them out? Difficult to get players to gel when you have new transfers coming in and going out every year.
74. Often wondered the same…. however, he must be doing something right ’cause his teams are always competitive and he continues to have quality players entering his program as well as exiting. Performance speaks for itself… and it could be, either you “love ‘um or hate ‘um.”
How could anyone hate Brian. He has not changed in 30 years and he and Dave have done more with less than anyone else in the sport. Don’t get me wrong, I love to boo him but I would never underestimate his contributions to the sport.
I agree about the hiring process, as well. I’m happy and pleased with Robyn, but wonder who we could have gotten if it was a full search.
I would love to see someone on the bench that would like to go international on recruiting. If we can’t get the top American recruits, get the best abroad. It’s working for the men.
it is pretty obvious that Matlin wanted a low end (pay wise) coach. He didn’t want to pay a Sealy or or even Fisher type salary. Can’t complain he is 2 for 2 so far.
http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=41997
new thread up