HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Following a decorated career as the head coach of the University of Hawaii women’s basketball team, Laura Beeman has a new role with the athletic department.

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“I realized there was more to Laura Beaman than just ‘Coach Beeman,’“ Beeman told Hawaii News Now. ”Although I do want ‘Coach Beeman.’ I like that name.”

Beeman didn’t stay retired for very long. Just three months after stepping down as the Rainbow Wahine head coach, Beeman was hired at UH as associate athletic director for student-athlete success.

“I didn’t miss the job, I missed the people and I really missed the people in the department,” Beeman said. “I really miss the students.”

Although it was a quick turnaround, Beeman still used her time away from coaching to be with family.

“Really recognize at times what a bad sibling I’ve been and what a bad daughter I’ve been and what a bad friend I’ve been,” Beeman said. “Not anything malicious or intentional, but just my focus was always on recruiting and on the players.”

Focus: Student-athlete success beyond the court

Beeman’s new role will oversee the department’s support services when it comes to student-athlete experience, using her three decades of coaching to help guide current and future UH athletes.

“I’ve talked a lot about my philosophy as a basketball coach was to help these young women that I was able to coach be their best off the court,” Beeman said. “I’m kind of looking at this role as trying to help all the athletes in one way or another.”

Areas include professional development, using the new perspective she gained as she stepped away from a position she held for 14 years.

“Speak to our athletes as they’re leaving from graduation and may not play a sport again,” Beeman said. “I can really speak to that now and say, Hey, I did it for 30 years and I’m not on the sidelines anymore and that transition is something that you have to acknowledge and you have to embrace, but let’s talk about how you do this healthy.”

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Mental health a major priority

Beeman will also help with compliance, academic support and health and wellness for student-athletes.

One of her big priorities is mental health awareness, something she talked about in her retirement.

“I definitely want to continue to have an impact (on) our youth,” Beeman said in her retirement speech in March. “I’m passionate about mental health and we have a need in this state to continue to grow mental health resources.”

She plans to utilize the school’s Rainbow Wellness group as a vital resource.

“If I can go out into the community and raise awareness about what our director is trying to do and the need that we have in the department for funding for our mental health,” Beeman said. “That’s something that I hope Matt will allow me to do, I think he will.”

Hands-off support for new coach

Beeman will also lend a hand in coach development, but when it comes to her successor, Khalilah Mitchell, she’s going to take a hands-off approach as Mitchell creates her version of Rainbow Wahine basketball.

“Going to a game and just being a fan, I want people to know I’m just going to be a fan. I’m not there to yell at the officials, I’m not going to go up to and say, ‘Hey Khalilah,’” Beeman said. “Obviously, if she says, ‘Coach, what did you see?’ I don’t even know if I’m going to give her that input. I think she needs to put her stamp, I know she needs to put her stamp on this program without wondering whether I’m agreeing or disagreeing.”

Beeman also adds that she plans to watch all of the UH sports as she steps into the next chapter of her storied career.

“I’m really excited and I think all of them know that I don’t know what I’m doing at times, but they also laugh with me at myself,” Beeman said. “So I’m just looking forward to having a positive impact.”

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