HONOLULU-University of Hawaii women's basketball head coach Vince Goo announced his retirement following the conclusion of he 2003-04 season. Goo's retirement will mark the end of a 20-year coaching career at UH, including 17 years as head coach.
"A year ago I just didn't feel it was the right time," Goo said. "Coaching here has been like a great party with many proud moments. But all good things come to an end. It's the right time now and hopefully I haven't overstayed my welcome."
UH Athletics Director Herman Frazier said: "Last year Coach Goo and I discussed his possible retirement. At that time I told him he should wait and we will discuss it at a future date. I did not expect him to make the decision that he did, however I respect his wishes. He has been a pillar of success for the University and for the student-athletes who competed for him and his program. He will be sorely missed."
Goo leaves a legacy that includes more than 300 wins, a perfect graduation rate and number of firsts for a program now in its 30th year of existence.
Perhaps most impressive has been the program's perfect graduation record under Goo. All 41 Rainbow Wahine who have completed their eligibility at UH have received their degrees. The Rainbow Wahine have also been cited nearly 40 times for their academic achievements, ranging from conference recognition to District All-Americans. This year's squad holds the highest cumulative grade point average (3.26) of all 19 programs in the Athletic Department.
The 57-year-old Goo began his coaching career at UH in 1984, serving as the Rainbow Wahine's top assistant under head coach Bill Nepfel. Three years later, he took over the role as head coach and has since become the program's all-time winningest coach with a record of 331-162. Goo's team's have averaged nearly 20 wins per season during his 17-year tenure and have earned four straight post-season berths. His 331 wins are the most ever by a collegiate coach in Hawaii, men's or women's.
With the Rainbow Wahine currently 5-16, a string of eight straight winning seasons will likely come to an end for Goo, who suffered only two other losing seasons in the previous 16 years. Hawaii is currently in eighth place in the Western Athletic Conference with a 3-9 mark.
Since taking over as head coach of the program in 1987, Goo has guided the Rainbow Wahine to enormous success, on the court, in the classroom and in the community. He has led the Rainbow Wahine to 10 postseason appearances, including the program's first-ever NCAA berth in 1989 in his second season as head coach. Since then, Goo has directed the Rainbow Wahine to the "Big Dance" four more times (1990, '94, '96, '98). He has also led the Rainbow Wahine to four 25-plus win seasons, including a school-best 28 victories in the 1992-93 campaign. In 1997-98, UH captured its first WAC regular-season championship and finished with a 24-4 mark.
Also highlighting Goo's coaching tenure are back-to-back Big West regular-season championships (1993 and '94), the program's only Big West Tournament championship in 1996, and a second-place finish in the 1992 National Women's Invitation Tournament. In 2000-01 the Rainbow Wahine again made a run in the WNIT, hosting post-season play for the first time ever and advancing to the semifinals following three heart-stopping home wins.
In 1995-96, Goo directed the greatest turnaround in women's collegiate basketball, as his squad won 23 games following a 6-20 campaign a year earlier. For his achievements, Goo has been awarded three Big West Conference Coach of the Year honors in 1989, '93 and '94. In 1998 he was named WAC Pacific Division Coach of the Year.
The Rainbow Wahine have boasted three All-Americans, three conference players of the year and 21 all-conference performers during Goo's tenure. Three of the last six state winners for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award have been Rainbow Wahine basketball players: Nani Cockett, BJ Itoman and Raylene Howard. The award honors student-athletes for their athletic and academic achievements, as well as service and leadership qualities. The same three players were also presented the Jack Bonham Award, UH's highest student-athlete honor.
More than half of the players who have graduated under Goo have remained involved in basketball. Eleven players have gone on to play professional basketball, while more than a dozen have gone into coaching.
UH has six regular season games remaining, as well as the WAC Tournament in Fresno, Calif., beginning March. 9. UH hosts Boise State (Thursday) and UTEP (Saturday) this week, then travels to Rice and Tulsa next week. The Rainbow Wahine conclude their regular season schedule at home on March 4 versus Nevada and March 6 versus Fresno State. Both games start at 7 p.m. UH's opening game in the WAC Tournament will be Goo's 500th career game as head coach.