Goo rated among underrated coaches
By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer
Apparently those involved with Rainbow Wahine basketball aren't the only ones shaking their heads the past couple of postseasons.
University of Hawai'i coach Vince Goo was recently highlighted in Ed Clark's womenscollegehoops.com Web site as one of "Five Very Underrated Coaches." The site is based on the East Coast.
Clark's other underrated coaches are New Mexico's Don Flanagan, UC-Santa Barbara's Mark French, Texas Christian's Jeff Mitty — all former UH conference opponents — and Florida International's Cindy Russo.
Clark calls them coaches who have "built and maintained high quality programs at places that the casual fan may have overlooked." Their teams went 119-31 last season and finished with power rankings between 11 and 45.
Here's what he said about Goo:
"Goo, like his program, is used to being underrated. In his tenure as head coach, Goo has guided his teams to a 310-132 record, yet he and the Wahine often get overlooked (read the past two NCAA tournaments). Goo's Wahine have had 20-game winning seasons 11 times in his 15 years and have been to nine postseason tournaments including the only five NCAA appearances in school history, as well as winning three conference championships.
"One example of Goo's ability to coach occurred in 2000-2001 when, after a 23-7 season and second-place WAC finish, his team was denied an NCAA bid, causing star player Kylie Galloway to quit in disgust. No problem. Goo led his short-handed team to three upset victories and a final-four WNIT appearance.
"Off the court, every player who has completed her eligibility has graduated. Goo is a legend at the University of Hawai'i and his legend is likely to continue to grow."
The Rainbow Wahine open their 2002-2003 season Nov. 23 against UCLA in the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort Classic.
The annual Midnight 'Ohana, which celebrates the first day of practice, will be Friday, Oct. 11, at the Stan Sheriff Center. The theme is the '70's. Carnival games will be played on the concourse from 8 p.m. The men's and women's teams will be introduced just before midnight and play a 3-point shootout. A men's dunk contest and scrimmage will follow.
