New coaches, big moves: Inside the new era for UH sports this fall

News admin August 14, 2026 0 Comments

New coaches, big moves: Inside the new era for UH sports this fall

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The University of Hawaiʻi athletic department is entering a new era as the school prepares for the fall 2026 season under a new conference banner and fresh leadership.

With UH officially joining the Mountain West Conference, excitement is high across campus as teams on the gridiron, court, and pitch prepare for action.

View all University of Hawaii Sports coverage here.

Chang enters year five with ‘Braddahhood’ on offense

The Rainbow Warriors football team is coming off a successful nine-win season and a Hawaiʻi Bowl victory over Cal. Now entering his fifth year as head coach, Timmy Chang is focused on keeping the past in the past.

“We can’t rely on last year’s success and we have to move forward and build the 2026 team,” Chang said.

Chang noted his coaching style has matured significantly since his first year. “I would say by this time going into year five, I feel like a redshirt senior,” Chang said. “I think I was a true freshman walking in the first year… you start to understand what’s really important, what really works.”

The offense will look to build its identity around “the Braddahhood,” which Chang described as player-led togetherness in the locker room.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Micah Alejado enters the season on the Maxwell Award Watch List, recovering from an ankle injury suffered against Stanford last year.

The attack will temporarily operate without star wide receiver Pofele Ashlock due to an undisclosed injury, but Chang noted the receiver group remains the deepest on the team.

On the other side of the ball, the defensive unit returns just three starters after losing key players like Peter Manuma and Kilinahe Mendiola Jensen. Punahou graduate Matagi Thompson is stepping into an upperclassman leadership role in the secondary, while veteran linebacker Jamih Otis leads the linebacking corps.

New leadership takes over Wahine volleyball

At the Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center, the Rainbow Wahine volleyball team is preparing to transition from the Big West to the Mountain West Conference.

The team is looking to rebound from a disappointing 12-17 campaign last season, which saw former head coach Robyn Ah Mow step down for personal and family reasons.

Former UH men’s standout Joshua Walker has taken the helm as the fourth head coach in program history. Walker has secured a highly experienced staff, including former BYU head coach Heather Olmstead, former UH player Kolby Kanetake, and Will McDonald.

The Wahine roster features eight returnees, including Kahuku alum Chalei Reid, who led the team with 335 kills and 44 aces as a freshman. Middle blocker Miliana Sylvester said the team is focused on dominating the new conference.

“We want to dominate the Mountain West because we believe that we have the pieces too, and we have the playbook to do so,” Sylvester said.

Wahine soccer builds off international buzz

The Rainbow Wahine soccer team is also transitioning to the Mountain West, looking to erase a difficult four-win season that followed a regular-season conference title.

Head coach Michele Nagamine’s roster features 11 newcomers and is heavily rooted in local talent, boasting nine Hawaiʻi-born players—the most on a UH roster in a decade.

“You just can’t put a price tag on representing your state,” Nagamine said.

Goalkeeper Kennedy Justin and senior midfielder Izzy Ayala, who was selected to the Mountain West Preseason Player Watch List, are leading the clean slate.

Off the pitch, the team also connected with their cultural roots, learning to weave lei and offering a tribute to Lahaina following the devastating wildfires.

“When one part of Hawaiʻi hurts, all people struggle and want to combine and come together to make it better,” midfielder Leila Kahoano said.