Five days into his new job as head coach of the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team, Bob Nash is discovering just how difficult it can be.

Nash made his first personnel decision yesterday, opting not to retain Alika Smith as an assistant coach. Smith's current contract will expire June 30, and Nash said it will not be renewed.

"This is one of the most difficult decisions to make in regards to the staff," Nash said. "I've decided at this point and time that I need a more seasoned person as an assistant coach."

Smith, 31, was an assistant coach for two seasons with the Rainbow Warriors under head coach Riley Wallace.

"I appreciate the opportunity coach Wallace has given me to pursue my dream of becoming a head coach," Smith said. "I wish things could have worked out differently."

Nash was hired last Friday to replace Wallace.

"This came out of nowhere to me," Smith said. "I wasn't expecting it. I was expecting to move forward with coach Nash and the program."

Smith's primary duties the past two seasons included scouting opponents, preparing the UH scout team for practices, and studying game films.

"I think the hardest part will be leaving the players," he said. "I've built relationships with them that goes beyond coaching. It was more of a friendship, and I poured my heart and soul into the University of Hawai'i and helping these guys grow as students and athletes."

Nash now has two vacancies on his coaching staff — Smith's spot, as well as Nash's former position as associate coach. Associate coach Jackson Wheeler is still on staff, but he must reapply for a position for next season.

Smith was a standout player for the 'Bows from 1994-98. He ranks third on UH's career scoring list with 1,415 points, second in steals with 152, and third in 3-pointers made with 161.

Smith was a three-time All-State player at Kalaheo High prior to playing at Hawai'i. He was also an assistant coach at Hawai'i-Hilo for two years prior to joining Wallace's staff in 2005.

"My goal is still to become a head coach," he said. "And I plan on becoming a successful head coach some day, somewhere."

Smith displayed a relatively-quiet coaching style, something he said he learned from his father, former Kalaheo coach Pete Smith, who died in October.

"My father always had this saying: 'Success in life doesn't come in holding a good hand, but in playing a poor hand well,' " Smith said. "I'm looking at a poor hand right now, but I'm going to play it the best I can."

WATERS WILL TRANSFER

Reserve guard Dominic Waters has informed the Hawai'i coaches that he will not return to the 'Bows next season.

Waters, who is from Portland, Ore., will transfer to Portland State, according to Alika Smith.

"When I was telling the guys about my situation, Dominic said he's headed to Portland State," Smith said. "It's a done deal."

Waters declined to comment last night.

He averaged 6.3 points and 1.7 assists as the first guard off the bench last season. He averaged 17.1 minutes per game, and led the team with a .867 free-throw percentage. Waters, who is 6 feet 1, would have been a junior next season.

As a freshman, he became the first Hawai'i player to be named the WAC Freshman of the Year.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.