Hawaii’s Shoji just enjoying another ride
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Hawaii head coach Dave Shoji was doused with silly string to celebrate his 1,200th career victory after a win against the Cal Poly Mustangs on Nov. 17.
Each passing year at NCAA Tournament time it has been a ritual for Dave Shoji and those of the pioneering women’s volleyball coaching era to inquire about each other’s plans.
“We always ask each other, ‘How long are you gonna go?’” Shoji says.
Only there are very few of those peers left to ask these days.
Shoji, who will turn 70 Sunday, is one of the last of the foundation-building coaches who were around at not only the first NCAA Tournament in 1981 but the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics (AIAW) tournaments that preceded it.
“Some of my age group, Andy (Banachowski of UCLA), Kathy Gregory (UC Santa Barbara) and Mike Hebert (Minnesota), they have all chosen to to go into retirement, so it is obviously something I think about all the time,” Shoji said.
As we watch the Rainbow Wahine in the regionals that open Friday in Minneapolis against USC, let that be fair warning there are a dwindling number of opportunities to appreciate in action the work of the man who has brought four national championships to UH.
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Certainly there are no guarantees from Shoji how many more times he will be courtside to expand on 1,201 victories and counting. A mark achieved by only Shoji and Penn State’s Russ Rose.
Asked whether this NCAA tournament could be the final chapter in his celebrated 42-year coaching career at UH, Shoji laughs and then chooses his words carefully. “I mean, obviously, I’ll think about it when we either win the national championship or we get eliminated. It will be something I think about this year.”
Shoji maintains that he isn’t leaning heavily one way or the other and says, “We just need to focus right now on trying to win some games and, then, we will deal with it.”
A succession of athletic directors have let the school’s most iconic coach write his own ticket and Shoji has been telling them — and prospective recruits — that it is a year-to-year decision. “I’ve been saying that to the last four (recruiting) classes. Right up front they are told that,” Shoji said.
He has also warned athletic director David Matlin to be ready when the decision comes. “David and I have already had discussions about my retirement, so he’s very aware of my (year-to-year) situation,” Shoji said.
Asked what advice he gave Matlin, Shoji said, “’Well, I think you need to have a plan (to choose) my successor,’ and he understands,” Shoji said.
The decision, Shoji says, will be less about the prospects for the team that is returning and more about his own feelings. “The (talent of the) team that comes back won’t have any bearing on my decision,” Shoji said. “The program is in good shape right now and we have great players coming back next year.”
Shoji said, “We have a couple good recruiting classes coming in, so that won’t be a factor. No, it is just how I feel about it. The team will be solid and we’ve got recruiting classes lined up already for 2017 and ‘18.”
Shoji’s opposite number Friday, the Trojans Mick Haley, is 73, and, “He doesn’t even talk about retirement,” Shoji said.
“Well, I’ve certainly thought about retirement, so it is nothing that is going to come as a surprise to me or anybody else,” Shoji said. “I’ve made some statements that it is going to come and it is going to happen, so everybody needs to be ready for that.”
After a record-setting career, that might be harder for the UH faithful than many think.
Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.
12 responses to “Hawaii’s Shoji just enjoying another ride”
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I would not be surprised if Shoji announces his retirement after the conclusion of the Wahine’s participation in the NCAA. I don’t think anybody would since he has been preparing the fans for a while now.
If he were to retire, it would be with a heavy heart. For there is little else that makes his eyes twinkle, his voice hoarse, and his mind sharp. He will miss interacting with the players, watching them improve and grow. Additionally, the daily coaching regiment and schedule gives meaning to life. (And the bureaucracy, paperwork, and politics of other jobs cannot compare.)
Why does the SA print articles about Dave Shoji’s retirement? It seems that you are urging him to do so. This doesn’t make any sense for here is a WINNER!!! In this morning’s paper you have it on the front pages. Yet other articles about the success of the program appears on the back pages. Did you ever print on the front pages articles whereby you urged other coaches to quit (like our previous football coach)? I wish you would print articles in the front page urging him to stay on!!! In summary , you guys at the SA are a bunch of Kill joys!!!
Shoji’s retirement would be big news which sells newspapers. How often do you turn on the news which opens with a feel good story…not often. They normally start out with some type of tragedy story.
Did you really remember the wording in the headline area? How much longer? or something like that. It seems like the SA is implying that he overstayed his welcome! Now you talk about negative headlines to sell papers, but no. The possibility of his retiring is not news. Rather thats old stuff. If however he announces his retirement , then that’s big news. Rather the SA should be writing about LETS KEEP THIS WINNER!’
he should, at 70 come on…………….
AT AGE 70 HES ENJOYING what he’s doing and he’s a winner not a loser. You make it sound like he’s a creepy old geezer. Well not so. He’s got a lot of mileage left in him…and many more victories. BTW why would you want a younger coach who proves to be a loser. The fans and players want a winning team….and we’ve got it! When ever did he say that he’s tired of it all and can’t continue? I’ll approve of his retirement when he says he wants to.
I would be sad to see Coach go, I’ve only known wahine volleyball with him. But we all know the inevitable. We’d love you to stay, but we know you gave your all to the state of Hawaii. Love you Coach Dave!!
Shoji can stay as long as he wants. He has earned it.
Agree, He appears in great shape and mental health. He should stay as long as he is happy. He deserves it. Or Shoji for Governor!
The master of smallball
Dave will retire at the most end of next year. The golf course is calling him. At 70 years old it’s time to chillax. The volleyball program will be okay. At this writing they beat USC in 5. So not pau yet.