Should we really be surprised at Isaac Fleming’s sudden departure or anything else that has happened in this past head-shaking week?

Taken aback, perhaps. But not astonished by any means, because what we have seen between the exit and a public reprimand handed down by the Big West Conference in the Roderick Bobbitt case underlines a sometimes fractious relationship between a portion of the University of Hawaii men’s basketball team and its coaches.

At least the hope is that it has been the lowest point and there will be no ensuing drama to mar what should be a milestone March stretch run.

But the potential for the problems we have seen has been lurking for months, with the only questions being: What will happen and when?

As far back as April the signs have been there. That’s when UH set out to hire a new coach for an immensely talented but often undisciplined and enabled holdover cast of players, some of whom had already been through two head coaches.

Whoever got the job was going to have a curious assortment of personalities to deal with, many of them emboldened by two 20-win seasons and the certainty they could easily make it three in a row, no matter who the school placed in the coach’s seat.

Add to the mixture a young, first-time head coach, Eran Ganot, trying to find his way while building structure and it made for an awkward start. Especially as he tried to walk a not-always-consistent line between winning over his new charges and setting a standard of accountability.

Recall that it wasn’t until April 13 that Fleming — who was recruited by the former interim head coach, Benjy Taylor, who he had earlier pledged “if-he-goes, I-go” solidarity to — announced plans to stay at UH. At the time Fleming vowed, “I will stick it out with my brothers.”

“Stick it out” hardly sounding like a rousing endorsement of the new regime.

To be sure, there have been advances. Technical fouls were down dramatically until the three in the UC Riverside game. Whining at officials’ calls became less common.

Some visiting coaches noted that things seemed to be more placid than initially imagined.

Still, the rapprochement was shaky and not without disconnect. Respect for the new coaching staff and its orders by a handful of players, we are told, could be grudging or even withheld altogether. Behind closed doors some players have sauntered off. In public view you saw the icy stares or oblivious looks and lack of eye contact with the bench.

The victories came in bundles, but not always the harmony.

Small wonder Ganot looks more gaunt and worn than any 34-year-old rookie head coach with a 23-4 record should.

Early this week amid the latest fallout, word was that UH was considering not taking Fleming on this final regular-season and conference-tournament road trip. But before the bus could leave without him, he announced on social media he was leaving it.

This isn’t the way you hoped it would be. But in this season it shouldn’t have come as a surprise.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.