HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i Athletics Director Jim Donovan announced today that Bob Nash will not be retained as head basketball coach, effective immediately.

 

“This was a very tough decision,” Donovan said. “No person has shown more dedication to University Hawai'i basketball than Bob Nash. He has always been a class act and we are grateful for the way he has represented our school and for the example he has set for our student-athletes. He may no longer be our coach, but he will forever be a Rainbow Warrior.

 

“Ultimately this comes down to a business decision based on win-loss record, not on Bob Nash's character or how well he performed in the other aspects of the program.”

 

Nash was named Hawai'i head coach on April 13, 2007. During his three seasons as head coach his teams compiled an overall record of 34-56 and 15-33 in the Western Athletic Conference. The team finished in ninth place this year and did not qualify for this week's WAC Tournament in Reno, Nev.

 

Prior to becoming head coach, Nash served as an assistant for nearly 25 years, including 20 years as associate coach under Riley Wallace, whom he replaced in 2007. During those 20 years he helped guide UH to 16 winning seasons, including nine postseason appearances and three NCAA Tournaments bids.

 

A UH graduate, he played two seasons for Hawai'i and was an integral part of the “Fabulous Five” team's during the 1970-71 and 1971-72 seasons. In those years, the teams compiled a 47-8 record, and made the postseason twice, including the school's first NCAA tournament. Nash still holds the school record for rebounds in a game (30) and single season (361). Nash was UH's first-ever All-American and a 1972 NBA first-round draft pick.

 

A national search for a new head coach will begin immediately.