To Shoji: Don’t quit your day job
Every now and then, young(er) people will ask me if I’m considering retirement. I’d like to think they mean well, and that they’re not just eyeing my cool desk between Ferd Lewis and Nanea Kalani. But it still comes across like they’re holding a mirror by my mouth to see if I’m still breathing.
The point is, I’m old, a heart patient, and lazy, but I’m not thinking about retiring. And neither should volleyball coach Dave Shoji, who in contrast, is youthful,in good health, and extremely productive.
What would retirement offer Shoji?
Travel? He already travels a lot.
Golf more? He probably plays enough to earn a Senior PGA card.
Write a book? Done that.
More time at home? Well …
It’s difficult to start a new routine. I once tried to simulate retirement so I followed my wife around the kitchen. Two minutes later, she yelled: “Don’t you have something better to do!?!”
And that’s another point: what is there better to do than maintain a program he built and loves?
Malcolm Gladwell once wrote of the 10,000-hour rule. He said greatness at a skill is achieved through 10,000 hours of practice (equating to 90 minutes per day for 20 years). By that standard, Shoji has attained multiple-outlier status. He also has brought entertainment and enjoyment to many for many, many years.
Yes, his 42nd UH season ended in disappointment. He should take a trip, play some more golf. But in a few weeks, he needs to get back to work, as much for us as himself.
Good Morning Hawaii!
I agree with you, ST. Coach should stay on if he has an inkling to do so. If it is also to remain a thorn in the side of the “establishment”, the NCAA tournament selection committee, he should stay and continue to build, develop and keep winning with his terrific program.
One can only hope Coach Shoji doesn’t retire just yet. It’s hard to imagine UH Women’s volleyball without him. We know he wants a quiet exit, but when he does retire, he should announce it before the season and get the recognition and honored send off he deserves. It will inspire the players and fans and be a fitting end to a great career.
Great Morning All!
Interesting position from the Blog Host this morning. Much to discuss…
When does striving to “go out on top” become “exercise in futility”?
When does making room for the next gen become more important than maintaining the status quo?
When does the status quo become insufficient?
When does the mirror held close to your face become more than just a “breathing monitor” and actually get used for real reflection?
When will the rain get here?
ST & Tsaiko Blog Dogs:
For me, work until one of the following happens:
1. Your work becomes uninteresting
2. You become fed up with your supervisor and/or co-workers
3. Your health issues preclude you from making a meaningful contribution at work
4. You fail to get up in the morning
Re:#6. Thanks AD, I have enough years in to retire. Your words are now posted at my desk.
The way this season ended is so disappointing, although not because the team played poorly, but because they weren’t at full strength for obvious reasons. They really are a completely different team with Nikki on the court and I really think it would have been a close match that could have gone either way. You really could tell the team was shaken mentally when their leader went down and they really couldn’t recover,
Perhaps Dave was planning on calling it a career, but the season didn’t go the way he planned. So he wants another crack at getting to the final 4. That means another three years because the returning team without Nikki and Annie is not going to get him there; no established terminator pins. I say he returns.
To sum up retirement in 3 rules instead…
1. So long as the health holds up
2. Still productive
3. Take a tinkle no more than 3 times a night, hehe
Although we retire from a job, we shouldn’t retire from work. It may mean volunteer work and not paid work. Contributing to society should be ongoing. Especially men, whose identity is rooted in work. I retired in Hawaii as an educator but work here in Idaho as a counselor part time in a school. Besides we can draw from lots of personal experiences to help people. I am teaching about anti-bullying and I share stories from decades ago. Some of the kids get emotional.
Put me in the minority opinion here that thinks we may want to consider looking at other options in terms Shoji.
He’s done a lot and has been doing this longer than I’ve been alive, but I don’t think looking at or discussing what possible HC is available to lead this program to more championships is a bad thing.
You wouldn’t want to force a legend like him out publicly but its not like legends haven’t been asked to consider doing something else besides being HC. Bobby Bowden at FSU most recently comes to mind.
Mahalo Dave!
I believe its time to
give somone else a chance.
# 12 Makes a valid point.
Dave has served beyond distinction: his tenure is at once iconic, prolific and exemplary. If anyone in the history of UH sports deserves the ability to make the call on their own career it is this distinguished gentleman. That said, stuff happens, and the next thing you know, you are Wags or Bob Nash, being shown the door, with nary a lei or a pass-o-guava for your notable long-time service.
Many talk about the loyalty to UH, but sometimes, forget to mention that the institution is not always reciprocal in its’ own fealty and affection. And why…..well, because its not a person and it has to react to present day situations, politics and leadership.
Certainly, if Dave can still coach (that is abundantly clear) and wants to, then he should be given that modicum of both respect and autonomy. Paving or planning a transition to an almost sports deity like Shoji is never easy and in most instances, even possible. Just ask Gene Bartow who followed Wooden at UCLA, and despite having a career winning percentage markedly higher .852 to .808, he is just trivial question and footnote to the great one…..something to think about.
Merry Christmas all,
Give Dave a break…. let him do what he wants to do, he has surely earned that much over the years. Change is not a bad thing for any program, and it is inevitable in this thing called life. In fact, when you look at it, change is the only constant we have in our lives….. or at least that’s what I think. On another note, Merry Christmas one and all and you know what I say, ‘….make memories, make memories, make memories….’ nuf sed
I follow my wife around the kitchen too. She makes me help her like get this, get that, do this. So I get the hell out of there. I don’t want to do nothing to help. She happy. Life is short. Dave’s done enough. He should relax and enjoy himself. He old.
Welcome to the ohana wrote Drake Stallworth.
Pray and hope Coach Shoji don’t retire.
Guud Morning Tsaikos…Bootiful Day!
ST ditto on that…
Coaching is a very difficult occupation. Different levels of coaching all have different goals and unfortunately, politics.
Coach Dave has demonstrated the ability to put great teams on the floor for 42 years. I for one, will not be calling for his retirement/dismissal. He put UH Volleyball on the map and can still take the program far.
Isn’t it great that we now talking about how to get to the final four instead of building a program?
Keep knocking on the door Coach Dave and it will open.
When I’m in the kitchen banging pots, I ask my lovely patnah to leave…Too much traffic jam!
Guud news keeps Roloing in…
http://www.scout.com/player/204975-drake-stallworth
IMUA!
10,000 hour rule? I beyond that in eating. Yup, I have major skill in that category.
And I’m NOT retiring from my skill.
Stallworth would be a nice addition if he soldifies his commitment this weekend. According to Max Preps, his senior season stats: 61 catches, 1,224 yards and 19 TDs.
Since coaching is often a high pressure job, Dave should retire and do the many things he said he wants to do when he retires.
By the way, everything I said about Shoji applies to Cal Lee.
Cal would be nuts to retire. He loves working.
how many visitors this weekend?
Stephen, your post was spot on. I wish Coach all the best. It is his decision to make, but it does feel like there is an increase in mirror-to-mouth-checking going on lately.
The ending to this season was so abrupt, can’t help but think he would rather depart after (a) being assured of a logical succession plan being in place, and (b) knowing the season ended on the team’s own terms. After all, once you are in postseason, only one team ends on a win … but there are losses where you know you did everything possible, and then there are the what-if losses where there is always going to be the question of how things would have gone if an injury hadn’t happened.
na-wahine VB:
no matter how well UH plays and is ranked, the probability of it hosting a regional is near impossible based on the rating system NCAA uses to select host teams
Big West and WAC, other than UH, had/have a very low conference ranking because of their scheduling — same goes for the MWC — and conference members, despite encouraged by the conference top dog, will not schedule schools like UH does
I do not know how good Shoji’s 2017 recruits are, but it has been a long time since he recruited a “hammer” — most recent past has been toward “fineness” OH or the “hammers” no like come play for UH
have the Power5 schools applied more $$$ to the non-spectacular sports like women’s basket ball or volley ball or softball thus allowing the “mid-west” to suddenly blossom and start winning national championships
while middle’s are needed, a hammer or two or three will do most damage against opponents — past 4 years have belonged only to a Kaiser HS grad
#28
I agree with your Hammer statement. Need another Willoughby and Kahumoku tandem
“Non-spectacular” sports? Oh, A-House, you’re gonna get in trouble. LOL
Disagree with OHs, need another pair of Suzanne Eagye-Tee Williams MBs. Shoji won with Jessie, Tita, and Mahina as OHs, all 5-9 or shorter.
31. When those 5-9 players were playing , the opponents were not as tall as nowadays with so many 6-2,6-3,6-4’s and taller .
29.
Those types of players are much harder to get nowdays. Especially since Midwest and even some east teams have really improved. Not to mention the more money the football power 5 schools are making and applying to improving their facilities and cost of attendance stipends for athletes. Hawaii has the tradition and success but hard to get a blue chip type player to come when big name schools can offer way more money to them.
ST — I don’t think anyone just wants your desk, unless it means a full time job. In this age of the internet, you could be an example of not needing a desk and not showing up in the office — unless it was to attend some party or get your laptop and phone upgraded. Say, don’t you have a secret desk in the SSC by now? 🙂
Yes, Shoji probably could not survive with 5-9 OHs today. The point is that the MBs need to be the dominant forces, not the OHs. He didn’t win a national championship with Lily and Kim, he won with Deitre Collins-type middles.
Coach Dave and Blog Host Tsai have written their own life story. It’s up to them when they want to step back or retire. The thought of either being gone from the spotlight pains me greatly. But, I AM becoming one of those old cadgers always wanting to see the “good ole days” last forever. Life makes no promises, nothing is certain but change.
As for retirement, I will do what I do til I can’t. Loving every second of it. Like my good buddy and fellow Tsaiko Kekoa says, “stay in the fray”.
Meanwhile, Coach Rolo and the Warriors show the promise of more excitement ahead for UH fans young and old. The current Warriors, Coaches and the new recruits have the opportunity to be a part of something great, me thinketh. Life is good!
Go Wahine!
Go Warriors!
Go Tsai!
When the WVB team lost in the 2nd round this year, I took consolation that Dave Shoji might stay. If we won the national championship, it would be the time for him to retire. Not only leaving on top, but knowing that people will be calling for his firing if he did not lead us back to a championship in a few years. Look at Greg McMackin, Bob Wagner, Pete Carroll. June Jones would probably be on the chopping block if he stayed and didn’t get us back to a BCS bowl in 3 years. Even Les Murakami was under fire in his final years…and much of the spirit of the baseball ohana went with him.
Remember the Goose who Laid Golden Eggs. Dave Shoji has earned the right to determine his own fate–critics are saying he should retire and not saying he should be fired. Big difference. I think as in the case of Les Murakami, many of the aged supporters, fans, and vibe might fade away with the coach gone–after all, he was the constant for 40+ years. Keep the good times rollin’, Coach Shoji!
If Drake Stallworth plays as well as John Stallworth, he will be a terrific good wide receiver.
Eh, let Dave be Dave he has earned that much.
ST, do you still have those videos when people use to come on and the Princess would ask questions from the blog? I asked Coach Shoji what he wanted named after him when he retired, but I don’t remember what he said. I know it wasn’t something big and fancy, because that wouldn’t be the Coach. I think it was like a practice facility or something.
Aloha Tsaikos, not blogging too much lately but still lurking.
I think the most impressive thing about Dave is not only consistency and longevity but doing it with a school that is a non Power 5 school. I can’t think of any mid major school with a similar success record.
Forgot to add that may be another reason people are cautious about a new coach as it seems like nobody in Dave’s situation has done it. Off the top of my head Brian Gimallaro (sp) might be one that is close but not as great. So, finding another coach who will have that kind of success may be futile. It may last for a little while but the new coach would have to have final 4 success to keep the train going.
neighborhood rumor …
Arizona State wide receivers coach Jay Norvell will be the next head coach at Nevada, according to ESPN and multiple reports.
Norvell’s Wednesday interview was the school’s third this week, following Eastern Washington head coach Beau Baldwin and Vanderbilt offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig.
Previously, Norvell was the offensive coordinator at Texas (2015), Oklahoma (co-OC from 2008-14), UCLA (2007) and Nebraska (2004-06). He was hired as Texas’ wide receivers coach in 2015 after Oklahoma made changes, and Norvell was promoted to Texas OC after one game. The Longhorns finished No. 83 in scoring that year, up from No. 109 the previous year, and he moved on to ASU.
me: this guy get plenty OC experience.
Suzanne Eagye, by Shoji’s own account, was described as a gangly somewhat uncoordinated players as a true frosh whom, with training, became the dominant player in her senior year
she and D/ Collins were great players in their own right who could hit from any position from the front row, but they too needed support of their shorter team mates
to say a QB alone was the greatest is to forget the other 10 players, especially the OL, who provided the protection needed to go thru “reads” before passing
tennis and golf is a single person sport and one can say the Nicklaus or Palmer or Tiger was one of the greatest may be correct — yet, competitors may have pushed them into becoming a “great” player.
What UH needs is another Nike type donor. Whats his name? Steele?
Knight?
I think Shoji should retire — when he wants to and not a moment sooner.
It’s just weird that before, during and after every season everyone asks whether Shoji will retire. It’s unfair to the players. Everyone at the office said he’ll retire. I think it would be idiotic to retire.
iwonderwhytheyhateme – 12:
I see your point about Bobby Bowden. But I believe that Shoji is still HIGHLY effective as a coach and is still actually coaching. I worked at FSU in that department at that time; at the point in his career when Bowden was “forced out”, Bowden did not know many players names- he would call them by their numbers, even the starting quarterbacks. At practices he would address the team at the start, then go up in the high tower for hours to watch the remainder of the practices. The Pouncey twins (HS star linemen who ended up at UF and now NFL) were FSU fans, committed to attending FSU and came to visit and Bowden did not even know who they were. The athletic dept was well aware that they were losing out on recruits because Bowden wasn’t connected to players. And with his coaching style- that the head coach manages the assistant coaches who coach the players – things would not be changing any time soon. I don’t see Shoji as being out of touch at all- if he still loves the game and loves coaching girls he should continue.
In the end, UH will retire Shoji with grand fanfare
and hire a new, mucho cheaper, young coach…
if you’d like to continue the volleyball discussion, new thread up over here
http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=40609
That would be cool if Hawaii went back to Nike, maybe get 3 different types of uniforms than just 2.
51.
I notice there aren’t that many shirt design selections at the UH stores especially with the under armor shirts. I don’t know if it’s just me but I remember before there used to be a much larger range of selection.
New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=40613
Retire….time to move on….
Coach Dave will decide for himself on his terms…move on.
Unfortunately Taylor’s and Mitchem injury early on hurt Hawaii’s preseason… if not injured we could have won more early games and have a better seed for the post season( although I think we got the shaft)