Ah Mow-Santos to replace Shoji as Wahine volleyball coach
STAR-ADVERTISER / 2013
Hawaii coach Dave Shoji chatted with Robyn Ah Mow-Santos after a win over New Mexico State on Sept. 5, 2013.
STAR-ADVERTISER / 2013
Robyn Ah Mow-Santos worked with UH setters Tayler Higgins, Mita Uiato and Kyra Goodman during the opening day of practice on Aug. 10, 2013.
STAR-ADVERTISER / 1995
Coach Dave Shoji worked with UH setter Robyn Ah Mow.
STAR-ADVERTISER / 2012
Robyn Ah Mow-Santos during a practice for University of Hawaii volleyball alumni at Klum Gym in Honolulu. Ah Mow-Santos will be the first woman to head UH’s Wahine volleyball team.
ASSOCIATED PRESS / 2008
Team USA’s Robyn Ah Mow-Santos hugged Heather Bown after losing to Brazil in the Olympic gold medal match in Beijing. Both played at Hawaii for Dave Shoji.
Saying “she knows it is going to be a lot of work, but she is excited,” athletic director David Matlin announced Robyn Ah Mow-Santos as the successor to Dave Shoji as head coach of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine volleyball team today.
Ah Mow-Santos, who was introduced at a campus press conference, will be the third coach overall and first female to head the program in the 44-year history of women’s volleyball at the school.
>> UH begins search to replace Shoji in advance of expected retirement
>> Shoji ‘feels healthy’ in appearance at banquet
>> Shoji needs time to undergo cancer treatment
Ah Mow-Santos was one of three finalists who interviewed for the position, Matlin said. She will receive a three-year contract.
UH did not disclose her salary, but the range, as set by Board of Regents policy, is $76,440-$143,472
Ah Mow-Santos, who played for Shoji from 1993 to 1996 and was a two-time AVCA first-team All-America selection (1995 and ‘96), said, “I am excited and humbled at the same time. Replacing Dave Shoji is impossible. I will never forget what he has done for me personally as well as the Hawaii 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.”
Shoji, who was on campus, said in a statement, “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.”
Matlin said, “We are excited about the return of Robyn Ah Mow-Santos to the (UH) Rainbow Wahine Volleyball program. There is no other person I can think of who represents the sport of volleyball, the spirit of Hawaii, 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.”
From 2011 to 2015, Ah Mow-Santos served as assistant coach under Shoji, mentoring former UH setter Mita Uiato, who earned three all-league honors and honorable mention All-America recognition.
In 2014, Ah Mow-Santos was on the coaching staff of the U.S. Junior National Team for the NORCECA Women’s U-20 Continental Championship. Most recently, she has been coaching the Vegas Aces club team.
92 responses to “Ah Mow-Santos to replace Shoji as Wahine volleyball coach”
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Congratulations to both Coach Shoji on your retirement and new coach Robin Ah-Mow Santos. I never considered Robin to be even considered as her husband’s work in the military requires the family to move about whenever the call is made. Did her husband retire?
the current coaches on staff – not good enough?
The coach from Pepperdine should have been given a chance.
Scott Wong? Didn’t apply
Wong’ record as women’s vball coach wasn’t all that great as well.
I rather have a former UH alumn coach than someone who decided to leave the islands.
maybe if shoji retired before wong left he would be the new coach..but since he left ah mow was next in line until she moved
best of luck!
Wait, has Dave officially retired for good, or still in “stepped away” status?
Coach Shoji was one of those guys you thought would never leave … kinda like Coach Les … wish him and his family the best !!!!!
LIVE ALOHA / PLAY WARRIOR / DEFEND THE ROCK … GO ‘BOWS !!!!!
Great selection! Congrats Robin! Thanks Dave for 42 years of elite volleyball for our wonderful Nei! You’ll be missed but NEVER forgotten!
IRT Humuhumu, fully agree with your post. Wishing Robin the best, win or lose. The Wahines have provided many hours of great volleyball and always the example of outstanding student athletics from Hawaii. Imua.
Hope you have a great retirement Dave. Get healthy and then head for the links. As for Robyn I guess Dave knows her best. I’m sure she will make a good if not great coach. Time will tell. Guess she will move back from Vegas.
Wow! Now that’s a surprise. It will be interesting to see who her Asst’s will be.
Congratulations both to Dave on his retirement and to Robyn.
It would’ve been great to have Tita Ahuna on as Asst coach but I’m sure she’s comfortable at Punahou for the long haul,
As Shoji said: “Excellent Choice” !!!
Agree…I was hoping it wasn’t going to be someone already on staff.
Mahalo to coach Dave Shoji and Imua to coach Robin Ah Mow-Santos! Go Bows!
Good choice. Robyn is a UH Alumn, the others are not. Great to see Marlin taking care of our own.
“Taking care of our own” is not a recipe for success. Btw who’s Marlin?
You don’t know who’s Marlin? LOL!
You mean Matlin? LOL!
Isn’t Coach Shoji one of “our own”?? I’m sure he had a great deal of input and Robyn is an excellent choice for his replacement. She deserves this chance and I’m sure she will make Hawaii proud!
You missed my point entirely.
Does one of ours mean “from Hawaii?” IF you want to get technical, coach Shoji is actually from California.
Florida.
“Taking care of our own” is not a recipe for success”. Primo, you clearly stated that. If that wasn’t your point, then what was???
You hire the best candidate for the position, regardless of whether they’re “our own.” If you understood the whole context of this thread, I wouldn’t have to spell it out for you.
And if you would have been listening to and reading other articles involving the selection then maybe you would better understand that Robyn was the most qualified person that ACCEPTED the position! SPELL that out!!!
Congratulations to Coach Shoji on your retirement.
Congratulation to Robyn on becoming the new head coach of the Rainbow Wahine.
Has Dave actually retired for good, or still in “stepped away” status? Last week they ran an article just to explain that his stepping away was NOT a retirement, just time off while he fights cancer.
And now the article above forgets to re-confirm the time off, doesn’t say if Ah-Moh Santos will be the “permanent” coach, doesn’t update Shoji’s condition or his future plans.
Offering a 3 year contract I would think he’s done.
Good eyes and thinking, amela. Gracias!
Wishing you all the best, Coach Dave. Enjoy retirement and your ohana, but most of all STAY HEALTHY. You can ACE da cancer. Congrats to newly named Coach Ah Mow. Carry on the Na Wahine tradition. IMUA…
Well said…just what I was thinking. Take care of yourself Coach Shoji. All else will fall into place.
Congratulations to Coach Shoji on his retirement! Wishing you a healthy and happy one! Exciting times as Coach Matlin continues to bring in the young talented coaches (Ganot, Rolovich, and now Ah Mow-Santos). The pressure is on Coach Trapasso and Coach Coolen to keep the trend going! If not… Coach Beeman is an amazing Coach and glad we got her extended (last year was it?). Exciting times and I can’t wait to see how she’ll recruit having all of the connections made from her Team USA playing days. Go Warriors!
Agree,the choice of Ah Mow Santos was good. She was a team leader on the US Olympic team and knows what it takes to the reach the highest levels in volleyball . However Rolo never really made it in the NFL and the jury is still out with him regarding if he was the best choice by Maitlin. FACT is this past recruiting season NO top blue chip high school player from Hawaii and his parents chose to play for UH and way too many young inexperienced coaches that right now are not providing stability to the team with Lempa being the most recent change. Hope things work out but if they don’t, BOTH Rolo and Maitlin needs to go. Way too much at stake for UH to fail such as under chow fun. Yes, give Rolo a chance but the clock is ticking and counting down real fast.
Where did you play or coach football at all??? NFL playing experience ensures college coaching success??? Really, are you serious??? FYI, Nick Saban who heads Alabama and Dabo Swinney at Clemson, neither of which ever played in the NFL have done quite well at the highest level collegiately.
we don’t need small and slow players from hawaii..we need big and fast players from the mainland if we want to compete..it’s all about winning right?
i guess inverse forgot that they made it to a bowl game – something that was not expected
Going to the bowl game was a fluke and Hawaii nor Rolo should be flaunting this as they went in with a losing record playing losing teams….heck, beating Massachusetts was no great accomplishment although the news media, sports media, etc.. all went gaga over Rolo beating Mass. which was one of the worse teams in Div. 1.
Give me a break…..yes, all of you will criticize me as being a UH hater but I have been a season ticket holder since ’77 and have sat through the good and bad times….even with that coach before JJ came in….forgot his name but he and Chow and Price were 3 of the worse football coaches UH had but those were bad times and I still went because when the good times came around, i enjoyed it even more..anyway, still a supporter but to be the best, sometimes criticism is good for the soul……..GO ROBYN……GREAT CHOICE…
Hey Hossana, the 3rd of the crappiest coaches was Fred Wot Happen Van Oppen! Like you I was a long time season ticket holder starting in 1979 for 33 years. Had to stop when my work schedule changed. Agree 100% with you, Price and Chow were extremely bad, just like Freddy! Can’t believe Price trying to run that Hula T offense, that was just like a Model T Ford going at 30 mph max speed on the H1 freeway.
it wasn’t rolos idea to schedule UMASS. that was already planned before rolo even took the job.
Congratulations to both Robin and Dave. A well deserved promotion for Robin and coach Dave can now enjoy his golden years. Can’t wait for the new season to start!
I like it. Robyn WILL keep the gals focused and have them play discipline volleyball else get their butts kicked.
It all comes down to how well she can recruit…. best of luck to Dave, it was a heck of a ride…thanks.
A great selection. Go Wahine !!!
Good luck to both of them!
How do you thank Dave Shoji for his 42 years of success in building and maintaining a nationally ranked Wahine team for all these years? It has been a great ride for the program and the fans. MUCH THANKS AND FAIR SAILING. ALOHA !!!
Congratulations Coach Ah Mow-Santos. Best Wishes and Godspeed Coach Shoji. Also to Jeff Hall, outdoor coach, who deserves credit for keeping to keep the indoor program running (last preseason and from the end of last season) Mahalo, Coach Hall. Ah Mow-Santos has deep volleyball roots here in Hawaii. She embraces and appreciates the history, and tradition and will work for a better and greater future. Great choice.
It would be nice to see Robin win a National Championship as the Head Coach. Congrats!!!!
Give her time. I hope she does, too.
No questioning Coach Ah Mow volleyball knowledge and her competitiveness. Just wondering about her ability to recruit, not just any players but players that can take NaWahine to another level. Good luck, Coach Robyn
Agree. Shoji has a great record. Helped with recruiting. Sadly, I think the bloom will be off the rose until she proves herself. Recruits were’t coming becase it was UH. IT was because oh Shoji. Good luck. Guess for the salary, could not attract successful mainland candidates.
That’s the big question is how will the recruiting go. Guess it depends as to who she has on her staff that can help bring in mainland recruits. What ever the case may be i can’t wait for the season to come. Wonder how the present players feel. Would be nice to get some comments from them.
Need to recruit the big Mainland middle blockers and outside hitters.
it’s all about recruiting. This will define RAS’s trajectory.
Good to hear Robin go the position. Wishing all Robyn the luck and great success. It will be difficult to fill Coach Dave’s shoes but, you need to make your own foot prints. You need to blaze your own trail. The program is yours now. IMUA WAHINES!
Mahalo Coach Shoji for many decades of excellence and service! Best wishes for your retirement.
Mahalo to Coach Shoji for his contributions to the University, the success of the Wahine Volleyball program, his Christian values. You are leaving exactly how you envisioned without fanfare but with humility. I was surprised by the choice and am very happy for Robyn. I wish her much success as our head Coach.
Mahalo and best wishes to a great coach with real class.
Perfect choice…just perfect!
That pay scale for one of the most profitable of the UH sports programs seems low. I hope she has some bonuses written into her contract.
The only problem I have is who can do a better job for Hawaii on seeding and not getting the screws and ending up at stacked regionals or at Washington most every year.
We have been successful in the caching and getting our share of recruits.
typo coaching.
The problem for UH here is that we are in the Big West Conference which is not exactly a VB powerhouse conference. That’s why usually, for a BW team to even get into the NCAA’s, you MUST win the conference just to get the automatic berth. No at-large bids for the BW. And, once in the tournament, the BW champion is not respected. Just look at the PAC-12 this past year. I think 7-8 teams made it including Arizona who was 18-14. The only way for us to get respect is to go undefeated or maybe one close loss including a steady diet of PAC-12 teams and other non-conference powerhouses like Penn State, Nebraska, and Texas. Our BW wins are not credible.
Congratulations Coach Shoji for 42 years of exciting Volleyball! The only UH coach to have won National Titles for our University!!! I wish you well in your health recovery and enjoy a long retirement. I pray for Robyn Ah Mow-Santos as the new coach to have an outstanding winning years to come! Imua!
Enjoy your retirement Coach Shoji. The UH Wahine Volleyball team will be in good hands.
Best wishes Coach Shoji. You’ve put Hawaii volleyball on the map and are a class act. Excellent choice and the Hawaii volleyball tradition will continue for a long time.
Too bad he couldn’t figure out a way to get fired so he could go out with an extra half million like the last two football coaches got. Even $250,000 would be good, maybe find some way to divert the Kealoha payoff from the City to UH.
Don’t have anything better to say than your cynical comment
I wish her well
A surprise pick for me given her husband’s service. But I love her and wish her the best. Hard to follow a legend as many have learned.
Recruiting is all about improving your University academic wise………until the UH academic side steps up to the plate and ackownledges this- then the school will never be able to compete against the Power 5 for recruits. Yet if they were known for excelling in certain academic fields , more kids would consider coming in…….most kids what to be able to participate in collegiate sports and at the same time get a degree from a University that will open up doors for them . Good coaches preach this when they recruit and unfortunately UH has a laundry list of bad occurrences on the admin and academic side- mediocre classroom facilities and loss of accreditations. Until the upper campus- admin/academia – and lower campus- athletics r- figure out that they truly need each other to improve in order to bolster the reputation of the University which will result in better athletes attending the University…..and more investment by Grants and private sectors.
I’m tearing up right now. Great news! Dave and Robyn are two of a kind. They don’t come any better. They have the same heart for the game, for the players, for Hawaii. I have the same kind of excitement for Robyn that I’ve had for Dave all these years. That tells me that Dave is passing the torch to the right person. Mahalo, Dave, for all that you’ve given to Hawaii. You have the entire state of Hawaii rooting for your full recovery and a long and happy retirement. Robyn, you’re the keiki o ka aina that we’ve all been waiting for. You won us over from the moment you stepped onto the court as a freshman, and you never let us down. Ever. Congratulations. I know in my heart that recruiting will remain just as strong as ever, with young players around the country just as eager to play for you as they were for Dave. Once they meet you, they’ll know Hawaii is the best choice. Go ‘Bows!
Great post. Had chicken skin watching all the different local news stations showing Dave’s career as coach. IMUA, Na Wahine…
Good Luck Robyn!!! Wishing you the best for the next three years. Go Wahine!!!
It would be interesting to know if Shoji was allowed to have some input on his successor. I believe that he deserved some with the amount of time and effort he has put into this program.
Pretty safe to say Shoji hand picked Ah Mow to be the next UH coach. The way this was all handled where it was never clear Shoji would retire saying he would undergo cancer treatment yet continue to coach, all the while accepting job applications for only about a week meant they already made the decision and just went through the motions to pretend it was a clean slate open application process. Don’t get me wrong, I think Ah Mow was the right choice over any other v-ball coach but UH needs to move forward quickly and as others mentioned she needs to focus on getting he current players on board with her as the new head coach and get the recruits she needs to play for Hawaii. Shoji never really accepted foreign players and if Ah Mow cannot get the recruits she needs from Hawaii and the mainland, maybe she should look at foreign players who want an American education, degree and want to play for Hawaii yet play at level where they can qualify for their own country’s Olympic volleyball team.
Congratulations to Robyn Ah Mow Santos. Good choice! Hope she can improve on the recruiting. We have good players, but not to the level to compete with the top dogs. Hope she can bring those tall, athletic ones who can get up there.
Good luck to Shoji. Can’t every replace the MAN.
It’s going to be harder for her than Rolo and Ganot because of higher expectations of the program. She doesn’t have the luxary of following bad coaches such as Chow and Arnold.
So true, also being the first Wahine coach of the program. Wonder how she will be on the Athletes.
I must say that I’m very impressed with AD Matlin. He thinks first about the welfare of the student-athletes and he picks coaches who he knows will take care of “his” kids.
good luck coach shoji. congrats ah mow. great pick! can’t replace a legend. just start a new one
Dave is truly a legend. I remember seeing him at old Klum gym during the early years. He was always low key but you could see his passion for the game. Whatever he chooses to pursue in retirement, I’m sure he’ll pursue with that same passion. Mahalo Dave for all the great memories.
Never saw the selection of Ah Mow coming but I’m really happy for her. She’s come a long way, not only as a player but as a person. Aside from coaching at the highest level in D1, her biggest challenge will be recruiting but I’m sure she’ll excel there as well. Good luck, Robyn!
Terrible choice. This news reminds me when UH hired Fred Von Appen and Norm Chow. She doesn’t have head coaching experience. Job should have gone to Diedre Collins.
You never know. If UH had felt the same way 42 years ago, Dave Shoji probably would not have been our coach.
What do you base your opinion on?
As I recall, Dave didn’t have D1 experience either when he started coaching the Wahine.
Now it’s time to step up and donate to the UH Athletic Department. Support their Teams!
It’s no doubt that Robin Ah-Mow Santos is very knowledgeable in the game. The big question is can she and her staff recruit?
UH should release who the finalists were. Why the secrecy?
Thank you Dave for your dedication, your selflessness and the memories.