Sean Carney has resigned as an assistant coach of the University of Hawaii men’s volleyball team to focus on other business opportunities.
"He’s a good energy guy," UH coach Charlie Wade said of Carney. "And, no question, the program means something to him. He played here."
The Warriors are accepting applications for Carney’s successor. Wade said there is no timetable on when the position will be filled.
Carney was a two-sport athlete at ‘Iolani School. He attended Lewis University for a year before transferring to UH. He was a setter for the Warriors, although he sometimes was used as an outside hitter during his senior season.
Carney joined the UH coaching staff in July 2012. He handled much of the administrative work, coached the setters and passers and served as an alumni liaison. He also was instrumental in local recruiting, playing a role in signing Punahou’s Kupono Fey and Kalaheo’s Nainoa Frank.
But Carney felt the tug of his other interests, including a club team he coached and a training business.
"It was an awesome experience to coach at UH, a great opportunity for a 27-year-old guy," said Carney, who plans to help as a volunteer. "You can’t keep me away."
The Warriors also are seeking a replacement for Anton Willert, who was the team manager and video coordinator. The U.S. national team hired Willert as data/video coordinator.
Willert prepared scouting reports using a video-computer system to chart tendencies and efficiency of the Warriors and their opponents.
"He was the best guy in the league in what he was doing," Wade said.
Wade also confirmed that outside hitter JP Marks would not return for his junior season. Marks was held out of the Warriors’ final three matches after it was discovered he reached an agreement with a professional team in Europe.
