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2026 MBB Staff Udpates

Men's Basketball

Hawai‘i Men’s Basketball Bolsters Coaching Staff

HONOLULU – Coming off a memorable 2025–26 season, University of Hawai'i head men's basketball coach Eran Ganot announced a series of major staff updates, headlined by a key internal promotion, the return of two former assistants, and the homecoming of a former Rainbow Warrior standout.

Gibson Johnson has been elevated to the role of associate head coach, while John Montgomery and Adam Jacobsen return to the islands as assistant coaches. Additionally, former UH all-conference player Noah Allen also joins the staff as an assistant coach.

Leadership Elevation
Following five seasons on staff, including two impactful years as an assistant, Johnson has been promoted to associate head coach. A former Rainbow Warrior captain, Johnson has been instrumental in player development, frontcourt strategy, and, perhaps most significantly, the successful roster building that has occurred in his role as the program's recruiting coordinator.

Last year, Johnson helped put together a recruiting class that ranked among the top nationally for mid-major schools. That class served as the core of UH's Big West Championship and NCAA Tournament run, headlined by UH all-conference and all-district center Isaac Johnson. On the court, the team has also ranked among the top teams nationally in rebounding over the last two seasons under Johnson's direction.

"Gibson has earned this elevation through his tireless work ethic and his ability to connect with our players on and off the floor," said Ganot. "He is a rising star in this profession and represents the very best of Hawai'i basketball."

Return of the Architects
The return of Montgomery and Jacobsen brings a wealth of experience, continuity, and a proven track record of success. Both coaches helped set the foundation for UH's success as original members of Ganot's staff a decade ago. It started with the program's historic 2015–16 season, which saw the Rainbow Warriors capture both the Big West regular-season and tournament titles, culminating in the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament victory.

"We are beyond thrilled to welcome John and Adam back to the 'ohana," said Ganot. "Both are elite basketball minds who understand the unique culture and expectations of Hawai'i basketball. They played vital roles in some of our most successful seasons, and their familiarity with our program—combined with the experiences they've had during their time away—makes them invaluable additions as we look to elevate this program further."

Montgomery returns to Mānoa after two seasons as an assistant at Long Beach State. During his previous nine-year tenure at UH (2015–2024), he was widely regarded as one of the top defensive tacticians in the Big West. Under his guidance, the Rainbow Warriors consistently ranked among the nation's leaders in defensive efficiency and effective field goal percentage defense. He helped UH to seven straight winning seasons and three 20-win campaigns during his first stint.

Jacobsen, meanwhile, returns to the Rainbow Warriors after serving as an assistant at California Baptist and Utah Valley. In two years at Utah Valley, he helped lead the Wolverines to back-to-back 25-win seasons, highlighted by a pair of WAC regular-season titles. Jacobsen previously spent four seasons on the UH bench (2015–2019), when he directed some of the team's top offensive performances and developed some of the program's most prolific backcourt players, including record-setting point guards Roderick Bobbitt and Drew Buggs.

Welcoming Back a Rainbow Warrior
In a move that continues the program's connection to its alumni, Allen joins the coaching staff as an assistant. Allen, who led the Rainbow Warriors in scoring during the 2016–17 season en route to first-team All-Big West honors, returns to Honolulu after a nearly decade-long professional playing career.

"Bringing Noah back is special," Ganot added. "He was one of the most versatile and high-IQ players we've had here. His perspective as a former student-athlete who found success here at UH, as well as in the professional ranks, will be a massive asset for our current roster."

Allen joins his former teammate Johnson on staff while continuing the line of former players who have returned to Mānoa as staff members under Ganot. Allen, Montgomery, and Jacobsen join a staff that also includes current members Clay Wilson (assistant), Juan Munoz (player personnel), and Jake Nishimura (graduate assistant) who helped UH to a banner 2025–26 season.

The Rainbow Warriors are coming off a celebrated year that saw them notch 24 wins, capture the Big West Championship, and earn the program's sixth-ever bid to the NCAA Tournament.
 
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Players Mentioned

Isaac Johnson

#20 Isaac Johnson

C
7' 0"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Isaac Johnson

#20 Isaac Johnson

7' 0"
Senior
C