Coach Law has defied the odds at Hilo
By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Columnist
When University of Hawai'i-Manoa assistant basketball coach Jeff Law considered pursuing the vacant UH-Hilo head position in 1998, some of his friends quickly attempted to dissuade him.
Why, they wondered, would he leave the stability of a full-time Division I position at Manoa for an interim Division II job that had no guarantees beyond seven months?
Why, they questioned, would he chase a down-and-out program where the shelves were all but bare?
"We were concerned about what he might be getting himself into," Rich Sheriff recalled. It was, even Law's father Norm, a 40-year coaching veteran on the East Coast, admitted, "a tough situation to walk into."
But after visiting Hilo, Law was determined to, as he put it, "roll the dice."
Four seasons later, Law has taken the Vulcans to a jackpot of sorts, the school's first NCAA Tournament appearance.
The Vulcans, off back-to-back 18-9 seasons, their winningest in 13 years, earned an at-large berth in the West Regional Friday against 11th-ranked Humboldt (Calif.) State (23-4) at Brigham Young University-Hawai'i.
For the 40-year-old Law, the trip to the postseason is not only a vindication of his career path, but a welcomed breakthrough for the Vulcans.
A program that had run through two more experienced head coaches, and just a 39-69 record in the four years preceding his arrival, has gone 53-53 in four seasons under Law.
All of which is remarkable considering that when he arrived there were but three returnees, none of them taller than 6-foot-6, a bare bones budget and six Division I teams on the schedule. There were attitudes in need of adjustment and a roster to be weeded out and rebuilt. And Law would have to re-apply for his job in seven months.
"He said when he first looked in the equipment room there were only about a half-dozen basketballs and only one or two even bounced," Law's father said.
But with a dedication to defense and a renewed commitment to rebounding, the Vulcans won four of their last five games to earn their first postseason bid in eight years and have begun to make their mark.
"There is still a lot to do and a ways to go, but I feel like we're moving in the right direction," Law said. "I compare it to carpenter building a house. You notice things going up in stages — the frame, the roof, etc. — well, that's where we're at."
As for Law: "I love being able to coach in Hawai'i and it has all worked out great. I couldn't be happier."
