HONOLULU – Panita Thanatharn has been selected as the fourth head coach of the University of Hawai'i softball program, acting athletics director Lois Manin announced.
 
Thanatharn replaces Bob Coolen, who coached the Rainbow Wahine for 34 seasons and retired following the 2025 season.
 
"We are thrilled to welcome Panita to our athletics 'Ohana," Manin said. "She has a deep passion for the game and the competitive spirit to build a winning culture. We are confident that her integrity-based leadership and unmatched work ethic will inspire our student-athletes to grow on and off the field. She brings excitement to the future of our softball program."
 
"I am so pumped and honored to be the Head Softball Coach at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa," Thanatharn said. "I'm  grateful for the trust and confidence and I'm looking forward to the journey ahead! I can't wait to meet the team and learn about them and their families. Academically, Hawai'i is one of the top universities in the world, and paired with its breathtaking beauty, I'm confident we'll attract outstanding student-athletes who are just as exceptional off the field as they are on it. I'm ready to get to work and start building relationships and am committed to winning in the classroom, in the community, and on the field. Let's go Bows!"

Thanatharn spent 16 seasons in two stints at Long Beach State (2008, '11-25), where she served as associate head coach since 2016. She began her coaching career with the Beach in 2008 as director of operations/assistant coach before joining UNLV's coaching staff as assistant coach for two seasons (2009-10). She returned to Long Beach State in 2011 and has served as the primary recruiter and hitting coach as well as handling all administrative duties and the conditioning program for the team.
 
Under Thanatharn's guidance, the Beach posted the 10 highest batting averages in program history, including a .320 mark in 2021 which ranked No. 15 nationally. The Beach ranked 20^th in 2018 with a .306 average and set single-season records for hits (486) and doubles (91). In 2013, the team hit a program-best 53 home runs led by Darian Tautalafua, who set Big West career records for home runs and RBI and program career marks for runs scored and walks.

In 18 seasons as an assistant coach, Thanatharn has been a part of nine NCAA Regional teams – eight with LBSU and one with UNLV – and five Big West championship teams (2008, '12, '14, '21, '23). During her time with LBSU, the Beach never finished conference play lower than fourth place. She helped coach 16 all-region players, including All-Americans Brooke Turner and Taylor Rowland as well as Big West Player of the Year Shayna Kimbrough and three Big West Freshmen of the Year.
 
Thanatharn worked and played under two legendary coaches – Pete Manarino at UNLV and Kim Sowder at LBSU. Manarino is the Beach's all-time winningest coach with 843 wins while Sowder is second with 579.
 
A four-year letterwinner for the Beach (2002, '05-07), Thanatharn earned the school's Todd Hart Courage Award in 2003 and was honorable mention all-Big West in 2007. She still holds the school record for most hits in a game with five against Siena in 2007. Following her senior season, she was one of 20 finalists for the Lowe's Senior Class Award, presented annually to a senior softball player who excels both on and off the field.
 
Thanatharn double-majored from LBSU in exercise science and sport psychology and coaching in 2006 and received a master's in kinesiology with an option in sports management from LBSU in 2008.
 
 
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING…
 
Pete Manarino, Former Long Beach State & UNLV Head Coach
"I have nothing but positive things to say about Panita. Not only did she play for me at Long Beach State but she was one of my assistant coaches at UNLV for a couple of years. Panita is the type of person who is so likeable and has a great personality. She's such a good coach and recruiter. She brought in so many great players during her time at UNLV. As a player, she was a team leader and her work ethic was unbelievable. I'm excited to see what she does at UH. It's a great fit for not only her, but for the university, athletic department and the softball program."
 
Kim Sowder, Former Long Beach State Head Coach
"I'm so happy and excited for Panita to have the opportunity to be the next head coach for the University of Hawai'i softball program. Panita has been by my side for 15 years at LBSU and has played a key role in the success of our program's strong culture and competitive excellence on and off the field. She is family to me and one of the best human beings I know. I couldn't have asked for a more loyal, caring, knowledgeable, and valuable assistant. Her genuine love for student-athletes, her work ethic, attention to detail and competitive fire will be felt immediately. She is an outstanding servant leader, and a tremendous hire for UH Softball."
 
Jo Evans, UC Santa Barbara Head Coach, NFCA Hall of Fame Coach
"I'm excited for Panita to have the opportunity to be the head coach at Hawai'i. She has paid her dues as a loyal, dedicated, and hardworking assistant at Long Beach State. She has a great work ethic, pays attention to detail, highly organized, and establishes great relationships with her players. She does a great job running the offense from the 3rd base coaching box and has been part of several Big West Championships. Hawai'i is getting a high quality, high character person to run their Softball program."