UH's Goo mulls retirement, but may return for 17th year

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer

Vince Goo is 326-146 in 16 seasons at Hawai'i. Advertiser library photo

Goo, who is the winningest basketball coach at the school (326-146), returned yesterday from the team's season-ending Women's National Invitation Tournament loss to Arizona State amid rumors that he will retire.

Goo, whose contract expires in August, said the rumors were "premature."

"When you reach a certain age, it (retirement) is always an option," Goo said. Last year he hit the so-called "magic numbers" in the state retirement system — 55 years of age and more than 25 years as a state employee. Prior to becoming an assistant coach at UH in 1984 he worked in the Department of Education.

UH was 16-14 this season, the first time in four seasons the Rainbow Wahine did not win at least 20 games.

"I can't imagine Wahine basketball without Vince," said George Wolfe, who served as a UH assistant for 12 years years before becoming head coach at Portland State in 1999.

Goo brought stability to the Rainbow Wahine when he became head coach in 1987 and has raised the level of the program to a perennial conference contender first in the Big West and, more recently, in the Western Athletic Conference.

He has won 20 games or more in 11 seasons, captured three regular-season conference titles, taken the Rainbow Wahine to 10 post-season appearances and been named a conference coach of the year four times.

Under Goo, the Rainbows have made five NCAA Tournament appearances and five National Women's Invitation Tournament appearances, including the last four consecutive years, a school record.

Goo has coached three All-Americans, three conference players of the year and 21 all-conference players. Off the court, Goo's players have recorded a 100 percent graduation rate entering this season. He has three assistant coaches: Da Houl, Serenda Valdez and Gavin Petersen.

Goo is Hawai'i's fifth women's basketball coach following Patsy Dung (1974-78), Milo Griffin (1978-82), Jerry Busone (1982-84) and Bill Nepfel (1984-1987).

Advertiser staff writers Brandon Masuoka and Leila Wai contributed to this report.

Goo file

• 3 regular-season conference titles (1992-93, Big West Conference; 1993-94, Big West; 1997-98, Western Athletic Conference)
• 5 NCAA Tournament bids
• 5 National Women's Invitation Tournament bids
• 4 Conference coach of the year honors