UH head coach Eran Ganot adds to staff

The University of Hawaii basketball team has replaced an ex with an O-minded coach.

Chris Gerlufsen has been hired as an assistant coach, with duties that include serving as the Rainbow Warriors’ offensive coordinator.

Gerlufsen succeeds Adam Jacobsen, who resigned as associate head coach to accept an assistant coach’s job at California Baptist.

Gerlufsen, who arrives in town today, said he looks forward to working with Eran Ganot, UH’s fifth-year head coach, and his staff.

“I’ve always had tremendous respect for Eran from a distance, going back to when he was at Hawaii the first go-around, then jumped over to Saint Mary’s,” Gerlufsen said. “They had great success there. I’ve had the opportunity to go against Saint Mary’s the last four years in the (West Coast Conference). I know what a tremendous job Randy Bennett has done at Saint Mary’s. Anyone who’s in that coaching tree has had success.”

At San Diego, Gerlufsen directed an offense that had similar elements to the ’Bows’ four-out motion sets. The Toreros emphasized read-and-react plays utilizing multi-skilled players. The ’Bows have tried to match style with personnel. Last season, the ’Bows relied heavily on ball screens, spacing and quick passes.

“I believe in trying to play the same way, with a few more wrinkles,” Gerlufsen said.

In 2018-19, the Toreros and ’Bows had nearly identical production. The Toreros averaged 72.0 points on 45.7 percent shooting, including 35.1 percent on 3s. The ’Bows’ stats were 72.3 points on 45.1 percent shooting, including 35.4 percent from behind the arc. The difference is USD competes in the West Coast Conference, whose membership includes perennial postseason participants Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s and San Francisco.

Gerlufsen also will work with the perimeter players, assist in scouting, and help in recruiting. At USD and Hartford, Gerlufsen developed recruiting ties in Texas.

“We’ll see if we can get a couple to come to the islands,” said Gerlufsen, who also has had success recruiting internationally. The ’Bows have seven international players on the 2019-20 roster.

“I’ve been lucky to be around a lot of good head coaches, and work with some good assistant coaches,” Gerlufsen said. “When you have a chance to be around good people, you have a chance to develop your own coaching philosophy. I’ve been fortunate with the people I’ve been around.”

Gerlufsen has been a frequent visitor to Hawaii. Lia Gombar, his girlfriend of more than 12 years, is a Kaiser High graduate who was born and reared on Oahu. “We have a lot of good friends and family that are still (in Hawaii),” Gerlufsen said.

After meeting with Ganot, Gerlufsen said he found common ground. Both grew up on the East Coast. Both played guard for Division III programs.

“I know he has tremendous love for the islands and the people,” Gerlufsen said of Ganot. “I have the same feelings myself.”