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HONOLULU – Gib Arnold has been selected as the head men's basketball coach at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Athletics Director Jim Donovan announced at a press conference Saturday at the Ed Wong Hospitality Room.

 “I'm glad to welcome Gib Arnold as the 19^th head coach of UH men's basketball,” Donovan said. “I charged the committee with helping me find someone who was 'hungry,' had extensive recruiting experience and a plan specific for UH. Also someone with a clear vision for the future of our basketball program and could fit into Hawai'i's unique culture. I believe this process worked quickly and effectively, and that's why Gib is here with us today.”

Chancellor Virginia S. Hinshaw said, “I appreciate everyone moving forward quickly so that our new basketball coach will have every opportunity to succeed and build an exciting future for UH Manoa and Hawai'i.”

Arnold becomes the program's 19^th head coach. In recent years, the 41-year-old has been tabbed by numerous outlets as one of the nation's top assistants and recruiters and has served for schools in the Pac-10, Southeastern Conference and West Coast Conference. He also boasts head coaching experience having guided junior college power College of Southern Idaho for two seasons.

“My family and I are so excited to be returning back to Hawai'i,” Arnold said. “I'm grateful for this opportunity to coach here and am looking forward to rejuvenating this program and making the people of Hawai'i proud.”

Arnold returns to Hawai'i after attending Punahou School. His father Frank, was the head basketball coach for two seasons at UH (1985-87). 

Arnold comes to Hawai'i from USC where he was an assistant for the last five seasons. He was instrumental in helping USC achieve a record three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, three straight 20-win seasons and the winningest four-year stretch in school history. This past season, Arnold helped USC capture the inaugural Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, hosted by Hawai'i.

As one of the elite recruiters in college basketball, Arnold's efforts were crucial with the infusion of top-caliber talent at USC. Gibson was the lead recruiter for former Trojan standouts DeMar DeRozan and Taj Gibson, both of whom were selected in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft.

Arnold has also tapped into the global basketball talent pool. He has worked with numerous European and African National teams and conducted clinics in more 20 countries. In his final two years at USC, no less than four international players were lured to the United States by Arnold.

 

Arnold first received recognition for his coaching prowess while an assistant at Pepperdine. He spent four seasons (2000-03) there and his main duties included recruiting and overseeing the team's defensive schemes. At Pepperdine, he signed two WCC Freshmen of the Year and multiple all-conference players. The Waves won more Division I games in his tenure than during any other four-year span in school history. For his work, Athlon Sports Magazine named Arnold one of the top 10 Division I assistants in the country.

Arnold first received recognition for his coaching prowess while an assistant at Pepperdine. He spent four seasons (2000-03) there and his main duties included recruiting and overseeing the team's defensive schemes. At Pepperdine, he signed two WCC Freshmen of the Year and multiple all-conference players. The Waves won more Division I games in his tenure than during any other four-year span in school history. For his work, Athlon Sports Magazine named Arnold one of the top 10 Division I assistants in the country.

In between stints at USC and Pepperdine, Arnold spent two seasons as the head men's basketball coach at the College of Southern Idaho. There he posted a 57-14 record, including a 33-3 mark in his second season. His Golden Eagles won the 2005 Scenic West Athletic Conference title and the Region 18 Tournament and advanced to the National Junior College Athletic Association tourney, where they finished third. In 2004, CSI went 24-11, won the Region 18 tourney and advanced to the NJCAA tournament.

He was named District 13 Coach of the Year in both of his years there and during that time mentored 17 players that eventually earned Division I scholarships. His teams held the highest accumulative team GPA in school history during his tenure.

Arnold's coaching journey has also taken him to Loyola Marymount, Vanderbilt, Utah Valley State College and Provo High School as an assistant coach.

A graduate of Punahou School, Arnold was a prep All-American and Hawai'i's high school Gatorade Player of the Year. He began his collegiate playing career at Arizona State, where his father was an assistant coach. He then went on a two-year Mormon mission and upon his return, played at Dixie State College in Utah. Arnold completed his college career at UC San Diego, where he helped the Tritons to a school-record 17 consecutive wins and a No. 3 national ranking in NCAA Division III.

Arnold earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from BYU. He and his wife, Lisa, have five children: Analise, Ashton, Ally, Addison and Ace.

 

2005-10                   USC                                                    Assistant Coach 

2003-05                   College of Southern Idaho             Head Coach

1999-2003               Pepperdine                                       Assistant Coach

1998-99                   Vanderbilt                                           Assistant Coach

1996-98                   Loyola Marymount                            Assistant Coach

1995-96                   Utah Valley State                              Assistant Coach

1994-95                   Provo High School                            Assistant Coach