For Dan Fisher, there's no place like Square One.

"I'm really excited to be going back to Hawai'i," said Fisher, who yesterday was named associate head coach of the Hawai'i men's volleyball team.

Fisher played for the Warriors in 1995 and 1996, and his wife played for the UH soccer team.

"For us," Fisher said, "it's coming full circle."

Charlie Wade, who was named UH head coach, a few weeks ago, praised Fisher as a diligent teacher.

Fisher was associate head coach for the San Francisco women's team the past two seasons. The Dons qualified for the 2008 NCAA Tournament.

"We have a good thing going (at USF)," Fisher said. "Other than my wife and I wanting to be back in Hawai'i, professionally it's a good move. Hawai'i is a bigger program. For men or women, it's a step up."

Fisher redshirted at UH in 1995 and was a backup opposite hitter in 1996, playing "behind a guy named Yuval Katz."

Fisher transferred to Cal State Northridge, where he played one season as a setter. The Matadors then announced they would drop the sport. A month later, the Matadors changed those plans. But in the meantime, Fisher transferred to Pacific, where he played his final two seasons. He set several school records for setting.

"I was able to play for three (college) programs," he said.

He also played professionally in Europe. He speaks Spanish fluently and is conversant in German. That should be helpful because the Warriors' top recruit, 6-foot-9 opposite Jonas Umlauft, is from Germany. "I can say enough to make him laugh," Fisher said.