The University of Hawaii men's basketball program is bringing back some familiar faces as head coach Eran Ganot reshapes his coaching staff for the upcoming season. In a series of moves designed to reignite the team's competitive edge, two former associate head coaches are returning to the sidelines.
Adam Jacobsen and John Montgomery are rejoining the Rainbow Warriors as assistant coaches, reuniting with the program where they helped craft some of the most memorable moments in UH basketball history. They're joined by former UH player Noah Allen, who has been hired as an assistant coach, bringing fresh energy and a player's perspective to the bench.
In a well-deserved promotion, assistant coach Gibson Johnson has been elevated to associate head coach. Johnson, who played for the Rainbow Warriors for two seasons through 2018, has also served as recruiting director for the past two years—a role that has proven crucial in building the program's future.
The revamped staff also includes general manager Patty Mills, assistant coach Clay Wilson, director of player development Juan Munoz, and graduate manager Jake Nishimura. It's a deep and experienced group that Ganot believes can take the team to new heights.
"We're fired up," Ganot said. "We have a proven track record for having great coaches. We've lost a couple great coaches and we're adding some great coaches. The first meeting we have with our staff has been the same every year: united we stand, divided we fall. It starts with our staff. The staff sets the tone. We have a lot of work to do, but this is a staff that loves to grind and get after it."
Jacobsen and Montgomery first joined the Rainbow Warriors as assistant coaches in 2015—a season that would become legendary. That 2015-16 campaign, Ganot's first as head coach, saw the 'Bows win an NCAA Tournament game for the first time in program history. Jacobsen was promoted to associate head coach the following summer before departing for Cal Baptist in 2019. Montgomery later earned the associate head coach title in 2021 before leaving for Long Beach State two years ago.
Now, both are back, and their expertise fills critical gaps left by the departures of offensive coordinator Brad Davidson to USC and defensive coach Rob Jones to Saint Mary's. While Ganot has not yet assigned specific coaching duties, the return of these two tacticians signals a clear focus on restoring the team's identity.
Jacobsen was a primary architect of the four-out, quick-passing offense that defined UH's most successful years. At Utah Valley last season, his offensive system led the WAC in scoring (80.1 points per game) and assists (18.5). "I've done that for all my career," Jacobsen said of running offenses. "Next year will be my 27th year coaching, which will be crazy when I think about that. Coaching offense is something I've done a long time. I love studying offense."
On the defensive side, Montgomery was instrumental in maintaining "the wall"—the 'Bows' signature scheme of pressuring the perimeter, narrowing driving lanes, and providing help in the post. At Long Beach State, he served as offensive coordinator for the past two seasons, but his defensive roots run deep in Hawaii's system.
Montgomery's return is also a homecoming of sorts. His decision to leave for Long Beach State two years ago was influenced by family reasons—his sister was facing medical issues, and his parents lived about an hour from the LBSU campus. Now, with those circumstances resolved, he's back where he helped build something special.
For Rainbow Warriors fans, this staff reshuffle feels like a step toward reclaiming the grit, chemistry, and style of play that made the program a Cinderella story. With familiar faces back in the fold and a unified vision from the top, the 'Bows are ready to grind once again.