The quest to become Division I head basketball coaches has taken Scott Fisher and Chris McMillian into the realm of junior college.

Fisher and McMillian, members of Gib Arnold’s Hawaii coaching staff, said Thursday they have accepted positions at separate two-year institutions. Fisher, one of UH’s three full assistants, will become the head coach at Ohlone College in his hometown of Fremont, Calif., in July. McMillian, the UH director of operations, has agreed to a full assistant job at the College of Southern Idaho.

Both were with Arnold since he took over the program in 2010, though they concluded their tenures in different positions. Fisher was promoted after one season as director of operations, and McMillian started as a strength coach and video editor, then was raised to the ops job for the past two seasons.

Fisher was in charge of academics (which included more than one semester of team record-breaking grade-point averages) and oversaw the Rainbow Warriors’ big men, including all-conference players Christian Standhardinger and Isaac Fotu.

"I was proud of my accomplishments," said Fisher, a UC Santa Barbara alumnus and hall of famer in Australian basketball. "That being said, I feel I have a lot more to give. I think this is an opportunity as a head coach to show that I’ve got more tools in my belt, so to speak."

Assistant basketball coaches operate on year-to-year contracts and may be retained or dismissed at the head coach’s discretion. Their contracts were set to expire on June 30.

"When I first hired Scott and Chris I told them I never wanted them to stop climbing the coaching ladder," Arnold said in a UH statement. "I didn’t want them to become complacent as career assistants here. Both worked very hard and received promotions within our coaching staff. … 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."

Fisher was wistful when asked if he was departing the program on good terms. It was his first Division I coaching job.

"I think I’m leaving the University of Hawaii men’s basketball program and athletic department in good terms. I hope so," Fisher said. "I really do want Hawaii to be my home. It’s been that way for four years, (a place) that I can envision retiring in. I love the university and the state of course. Some day I want to come back. My ultimate dream would be a head coach there myself."

In the case of McMillian, CSI is considered an elite program among the nation’s junior colleges, an opportunity the former Wyoming point guard relishes. His position at UH did not allow for on-court coaching or road recruiting, and the distance of the islands made networking with coaches and players difficult for the 34-year-old.

"It was just a steppingstone thing for me," McMillian said. "I couldn’t be happier about it. All good things come to an end and it was just my time to leave Hawaii."

McMillian said CSI — where Arnold was a head coach for two seasons from 2003 to 2005 — has a Division I-caliber recruiting budget. He joins the staff of new coach Jared Phay, who was hired last month from North Idaho College.

Both coaches were asked if uncertainty around the UH program due to an ongoing NCAA investigation contributed to their moves.

"It’s a fair question," McMillian said. "For me this is a pure career move. It is pure coincidence at this point in time. Me leaving had nothing to do with the investigation. I think the investigation … hopefully once it’s all said and done with, there’s not too much coming down on that program. I think it’s a really good program. I think they have a chance to be really good."

Said Fisher: "As far as I know, my departure has absolutely nothing to do with the investigation."

Buscher to walk on

‘Iolani shooting guard Zach Buscher said this week he will walk on with UH in the fall.

The 6-foot-3 Buscher was named to the HHSAA all-tournament team for the state champion Raiders and was No. 3 on the Star-Advertiser’s Fab 15 for 2013-14.

Meanwhile, 6-4 walk-on shooting guard Jack Hackman said he’s leaving the program after his freshman season to pursue a greater playing opportunity at a Division II school to be determined.