HONOLULU — Before taking over as head coach of the University of Hawai'i women's water polo program, James Robinson was recognized as the nation's top assistant by the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches.
 
The ACWPC announced its end-of-year awards on Friday and Robinson was named the 2024 Women's Assistant/Associate Coach of the Year.
 
Robinson completed his second season as UH associate head coach by helping current head coach Maureen Cole lead the Rainbow Wahine to a 23-4 season and the highest ranking in program history.
 
The season was highlighted by two wins over teams ranked No. 1 in the country (Stanford and USC) and a perfect run through the Big West regular-season schedule and conference tournament. The Rainbow Wahine made the program's first appearance in the Women's National Collegiate Water Polo Championship since 2021 and advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 2013.
 
UH spent 11 weeks at No. 2 in the national rankings this season and finished at No. 3 in the ACWPC and Collegiate Water Polo Association polls, the highest final placement in program history.
 
UH is 44-10 overall and 13-1 in Big West play during Robinson's tenure with the Rainbow Wahine coaching staff.
 
In November, Cole announced her retirement effective following the 2024 season, her 18^th on the UH coaching staff and 13^th as head coach, and was voted Big West Coach of the Year by her conference peers.
 
Robinson was officially announced as the 'Bows' next head coach on March 5. Cole's retirement goes into effect on June 30 and Robinson will be the fourth head coach to lead the Rainbow Wahine program.