John Montgomery

University of Hawai'i at Manoa Athletics

Title

Assistant Coach
Email

jmmont@hawaii.edu
Phone

(808) 956-6501

John Montgomery returned to Manoa in May 2026 for his second stint with Hawai'i basketball. Montgomery previously served as an assistant on the Rainbow Warriors staff for nine seasons under head coach Eran Ganot, making his mark as the team's defensive coordinator

COACHING EXPERIENCE

Hawai‘i, Assistant Coach (2015-2021, '26-); Associate Head Coach (2021-24)
Long Beach State, Assistant Coach (2024-26)
San Francisco, Director of Operations (2014-15)
California, Assistant Coach (2011-14); Director of Operations (2008-11)
Furman, Assistant Coach (2007-08)

COACHING HIGHLIGHTS

Currently the longest-tenured assistant with the program, having joined Eran Ganot's inaugural staff in 2015-16 and serving nine seasons through 2024, before returning for his second stint in 2026.
Has helped UH to a winning mark in seven of his nine seasons.
Guide a UH defense that put up a historic season in 2022-23 with best-ever numbers in scoring defense, three-point field goal percentage and assist percentage defense, and ranking in the top 25 in all four categories.
Under his direction in 2021-22, UH limited four straight opponents to under 60 points, a program first in 40 years, while UH finished 36th nationally in scoring defense (64.1 ppg)
In his first season at UH in 2015-16, helped the Rainbow Warriors win a school-record 28 games, claim both the Big West regular-season and tournament titles, and capture the program’s first-ever win in the NCAA Tournament.
Under his direction, the Rainbow Warriors led the Big West in rebounding margin (+4.3) that season. As rebounding coordinator, UH ranked in the top 30 nationally in defensive rebounding percentage during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons.
Has mentored multiple all-conference players at UH, including Aaron Valdez, Noah Allen and Zigmars Raimo.
Valdes earned all-Big West second team honors and was the Big West Tournament’s MVP in 2015-16.
In 2016-17, Montgomery guided Noah Allen to one of the most prolific seasons in school history. Allen earned all-Big West first-team honors after leading the league in conference scoring, including a string of four games with 30 or more points.
Served as the programs admissions and academics coordinator and oversaw a stretch of back-to-back seasons with a perfect 1000 APR.
After taking over the post position, Montgomery helped develop Zigmars Raimo who was named the Big West’s Co-Hustle Player of the Year as one of the most versatile frontcourt players in the league.
Montgomery came to the Manoa campus after a successful six-year run with California in the Pac-12 Conference.
Worked primarily with the team’s guards and aided in the development of Pac-12 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year Jorge Gutierrez, along with all-conference honorees Allen Crabbe and Justin Cobbs.
Crabbe earned Pac-12 Player of the Year honors in 2012-13 as a junior before embarking on a promising NBA career with the Portland Trailblazers.
In his six seasons at Cal, the program went to four NCAA Tournaments and two NIT’s. The 2009-10 Cal Bears team won the Pac-12 for the first time since 1960, then known as the Pac-10. Overall, the team posted an impressive 130-73 record during Montgomery’s tenure with the team.
Was a part of the Long Beach State coaching staff for two seasons (2024-26) as the offensive coordinator. Also served as the program’s NIL liaison and alumni coordinator

PLAYING EXPERIENCE

Loyola Marymount, 2003-07

PLAYING HIGHLIGHTS

A four-year letterwinner at point guard for Loyola Marymount.
As a senior, started 12 games and helped the Lions to a win over nationally ranked Gonzaga, scoring 12 points and making three free throws in the last minute to seal the victory.

HOMETOWN

Menlo Park, Calif.

EDUCATION

Loyola Marymount, B.A., Sociology (minor in business administration), 2007

PERSONAL

Wife - Hannah; Daughters - Mehana and Malie
Son of legendary coach Mike Montgomery, a 2016 inductee into the College Basketball Hall of Fame.