UH softball coach Coolen to get contract extension

Now in his 27th year as University of Hawaii softball coach, Bob Coolen has agreed to a contract extension that will push him toward the end of his third decade leading the Rainbow Wahine.

UH athletic director David Matlin confirmed that Coolen and the school have agreed to a three-year extension. Matlin said the contract has been approved and is making its way through the process for final signatures.

“(Coolen) is a quality educator and has been a difference maker for our student-athletes since he arrived in Manoa in the late 1980s,” Matlin said in a text message Sunday. “We are looking forward to his continued success.”

Coolen confirmed his pay will remain level at $112,008. His previous contract expired last summer although Matlin indicated last season that the extension was in the works.

UH closed the weekend at 10-8 bringing Coolen to 960-579-1 since taking over as head coach in 1992. He began his coaching career at Bentley College and reached the 1,000 overall wins last season. He’s led the UH program to six conference championships (four in the Western Athletic Conference, two Big West), and 11 NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Women’s College World Series in 2010.

He’s the second-longest tenured head coach in the department, trailing only sailing coach Andy Johnson (28 years).

“It’s a tribute to the program growing and sustaining competitiveness,” said Coolen, whose next target is 1,000 UH wins. “And we just need to get over the edge again.” We need to be able to beat some of these teams that are in the NCAAs and go from there.”