University of Hawai`i Hilo men’s basketball coach GE Coleman’s contract will not be renewed for the 2020-21 season, announced today by UH HIlo athletic director Patrick Guillen.

Coleman, who just finished his seventh season of leading the Vulcan program, guided his team to a 12-14 overall mark this winter for the second straight year. The Vulcans, also for the second straight season, just missed the Pacific West Conference tournament on the final day of the season. They finished 10-12 in conference play, tied for sixth place.

 “I’m thankful to Coach Coleman for his service to our University and most importantly our student-athletes during his tenure here at UH Hilo,” Guillen said.. “G.E. is a class act and I am grateful for the way he has represented our Vulcan program. He took over a tough situation and does leave the team in better shape than what he took over. 

“But at this time, however, I feel that it is time for a change in leadership with a new direction and a fresh approach.”

Coleman was just the fifth coach in the long storied history of the UH HIlo men’s basketball program that began in 1976-77. His career record at UHH was 69-112.

Prior to coming to Hilo in 2013-14, Coleman was an assistant coach at his alma mater Central Washington University for 11 seasons–six of that as the associate head coach. He spent two years as an assistant at Eastern Washington (Div. I) after graduating from CWU. 

A national search for the next UH Hilo men’s basketball coach will begin immediately.

“The next step and goal is to get the men’s basketball program positioned to compete year in and year out for a Pacific West Conference Championship and NCAA Tournament berths,” Guillen added. “I am confident that we will find the right person in the upcoming search process.”

Coleman’s current contract expires on June 30, but the search for the next program leader will begin as soon as possible.

https://hiloathletics.com/news/2020/3/3/mens-basketball-colemans-contract-won-t-be-renewed.aspx