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Two members of the Hawaii men’s basketball coaching staff are departing for the junior college ranks.
Assistant coach Scott Fisher has accepted the head coaching job at Ohlone College in Fremont, Calif., his hometown. Director of operations Chris McMillian has taken a full assistant job at the College of Southern Idaho.
Fisher, a UC Santa Barbara alumnus and a hall of famer as a player and coach in Australian basketball, joined Gib Arnold’s staff in 2010 as director of operations then was promoted to full assistant after a season. He handled team academics and oversaw the team’s big men.
“(A head job) means everything in terms of being a basketball coach,” Fisher said. “I feel that I still have a lot to offer as a teacher on the court. I think this is the best opportunity for me to use my talents.”
McMillian was with UH in various capacities since Gib Arnold took over the program in 2010. The former Wyoming point guard began as Arnold’s strength coach, did some video editing, then settled into the ops job the last two seasons.
“The last four years, one, they went by very, very fast,” McMillian said. “I’ve always said I got into this business to continue moving up and CSI has given me an opportunity to do that. So, I’m looking forward, I couldn’t be happier about where I’m at and look forward to many, many good things … many, many good years to come in this business. That’s pretty much it.”
Arnold said in a statement released by the school: “When I first hired Scott and Chris I told them I never wanted them to stop climbing the coaching ladder. I didn’t want them to become complacent as career assistants here. Both worked very hard and received promotions within our coaching staff. Chris now has the opportunity to further his career as a full time assistant at the College of Southern Idaho, the top junior college in the country. Scott has been given an opportunity to not only run his own program, but to return home as the head coach at Ohlone College. I’m very grateful for all the hard work and dedication of both Scott and Chris. Ohlone and CSI are getting great coaches and great people.”
Both Fisher and McMillian said their moves were unrelated to the ongoing NCAA investigation of the UH men’s hoops program.
